Archaeological investigation first step to Bayside sewers

John Howell
Posted 9/3/15

Now that Riverview residents are about to get back their Mill Cove Creek Bridge, their patience will again be tested. This time more than 4,000 feet of Tidewater Drive will be dug up in sections from …

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Archaeological investigation first step to Bayside sewers

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Now that Riverview residents are about to get back their Mill Cove Creek Bridge, their patience will again be tested. This time more than 4,000 feet of Tidewater Drive will be dug up in sections from Friendship Street to Arlington Avenue.

And this is just the beginning.

The work that started at the Friendship end of the road is the first step to the bigger project to extend Warwick sewers to about 800 homes in what is called the Bayside Sewer Project.

Because of the area’s rich pre-colonial and colonial history, a number of Native American artifacts, as well as indications of inhabitation such as fire pits and outlines for wigwams, were discovered in a preliminary survey several years ago.

D’Ambra Construction will remove a section of the road to expose such features as part of an archaeological investigation performed by Public Archaeology Laboratory (PAL). That survey will help determine where the main sewer line will run so as not to disturb archaeological features.

The survey is projected to be completed in two months.

Also, once the sewer construction starts, efforts will be extended to minimize the impact on any archeological features with the use of underground directional digging to install connecting lines and a low-pressure system that requires minimal excavation. The company is also keeping the living in mind.

“We want to minimize the inconvenience to people,” said Justin Paulo, project supervisor for D’Ambra, who was on site Tuesday afternoon. He estimated no more than 500 to 600 feet of Tidewater Drive would be dug up at a time.

Work will typically occur Monday through Friday between the hours of 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., and all open excavations will be closed at the end of each workday, according to a notice sent to area residents by the Warwick Sewer Authority.

“The Warwick Sewer Authority [WSA], in conjunction with the engineering design consultant, Gordon R. Archibald Inc. [GRA], D’Ambra and PAL are working to ensure that the construction period goes smoothly and disruptions to residents are minimal. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we work to complete this phase of the project,” the advisory reads.

Meanwhile, the bridge, which has been closed for about a year, is nearing completion. Cardi Construction has set Sept. 18 as a full completion date. However, the city is anxious that all sewer and National Grid work in the stretch from West Shore Road to Friendship be completed so that at least that stretch of the road can be paved without the possibility of it being unearthed again.

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