Building a bridge, moving a river

Posted 7/28/15

Construction on the Apponaug circulator is well underway. The $40 million project is expected to be complete in the fall of 2017 and will comprise five roundabouts in place of traffic …

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Building a bridge, moving a river

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Construction on the Apponaug circulator is well underway. The $40 million project is expected to be complete in the fall of 2017 and will comprise five roundabouts in place of traffic signal-controlled intersections. Currently, just past Apponaug Four Corners, workers have finished a bridge that will eventually go over the Apponaug River, also known as Hardig Brook. At this point, there is no river to bridge, as the Apponaug River is still yet to be unearthed. The circulator plans call for freeing the river, which had been covered as part of the Apponaug Mill, and then its relocation, which will lead it under the newly formed bridge. According to Bryan Lucier, Senior Information and Public relations Specialist for RIDOT, workers will be excavating the river and its new channel over the next several weeks. The actual relocation of the river will take only one day and should be finished by August 14.

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  • patientman

    5 roundabouts. Roundabouts are a great way to keep traffic flowing. The problem is 1 idiot can cause a large back up. And Rhode Island has a lot of idiot drivers.

    Tuesday, July 28, 2015 Report this

  • DATestoni

    I have been at some horrible roundabouts. I was stuck behind some people this weekend on my way back from Maine of of 95 near Wells. If some one does not kno the traffic patten or how to dive it can be a horror show. The best part of the project is how they are running commercial traffic for the FOP throwing that neighborhood where Tollgate RD and Gilbert street are. Never notified the voters or asked for permission. I live back there, hey already put up a "Dead end" sign as you leave the FOP. Warwick is transforming - wait until they reroute Main Ave for the airports. That should be a hoot!! When does it stop? Hopefully the airport will not end up like the Rhode Island mall - just an empty building where senior citizens walk in the morning to get their exercise.

    Wednesday, July 29, 2015 Report this

  • JohnStark

    I'm with patientman. There are roundabouts all over New England (to say nothing of Ireland) and they work great. But there will need to be a significant education plan to alert drivers about the rule(s). It's really quite simple: If you're in the roundabout you have the right of way. The point about idiots is well-taken, however, as one accident will create havoc.

    Thursday, July 30, 2015 Report this