| 1/2/2007 |
Rep. Story urges DOT Director Capaldi to expedite the completion of the Barrinton Bridge
STATE HOUSE -- The Barrington Bridge, a project that began in 2003, is again making headlines. Unfortunately, the news is not good. The completion of the Barrington Bridge project has been pushed back until June 15, 2009, some two years after the original completion date of September 2007. To date, the project has been plagued by erroneous designs and the subsequent negotiation of costs.
“I, like many of my constituents, am frustrated by the news of the postponement of the completion date of the Barrington Bridge,” said Rep. Susan Story (R-Dist. 66, Barrington, East Providence). Senator David Bates (R-Dist. 9, Bristol, Barrington) agrees, adding: “I understand that problems arise, but something needs to be done. The taxpayers are facing a cost that is nearly double what was expected, and there has been a failure to provide the product for which they are paying.” Rep. Jan Malik (D-Dist. 67, Warren, Barrington) has joined Sen. Bates and Rep. Story in asking the D.O.T. to explore any and all possibilities that could result in the accelerated completion of the Barrington Bridge project.
Ultimately, the completed bridge will handle traffic along Route 114, a heavily traveled roadway that would span Narragansett Bay. Currently there is a temporary bridge that handles this traffic. This temporary bridge has had to be resurfaced due to the extended and unexpected length of use. The use of this temporary bridge, and the inability to complete the Barrington Bridge project has been, and continues to cause inconvenience to the residents of Barrington and all those who travel this stretch of road.
For more information, contact:
Joseph Kasegian, House Minority Office
State House Room 106
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-2259 |
LEGISLATIVE INFO
