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existing structure. As a compromise, the decision was made to utilize a new construction technique: "pre-stressed concrete with false arches." This technique of pre-stressed and post-tensioned concrete spans, locked in place with steel anchors, promised the beauty of concrete at the cost of steel. Construction was completed by late 1968, and the new span opened shortly before
Christmas. It was at this time that two changes were made to the original bridge; the bascule section was permanently closed, as the new westbound bridge were not designed to include bascule functions. The bridge monuments on the northern side of the bridge on each approach were relocated to the respective sides of the new western approach span. Additionally, the bridge was made exclusively for eastbound traffic, and a sidewalk was constructed on the span. The design of this span was unusual, the result of a compromise between cost and aesthetics. However, this technique never caught on with the industry, and by the 1970s was largely abandoned as a building technique. This meant that the westbound span would remain a relative rarity, a "curiosity of another era;" a fact which would come back to confound engineers a half-century later when the span was discovered to have critical failures. A 2024 report on the bridge suggested that such pre-stressed and post-tensioned concrete structures are poorly understood due to their rarity.
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between the two bridges, with the older bridge having its northernmost arch ribs removed to allow construction to proceed. In 2007 the pedestrian and bicycle pathway on the eastbound span was permanently closed. A new eastbound span opened in 2008. The remaining portion of the original 1930 segment is now used as the pedestrian span. That portion had closed in July 2012, as RIDOT expanded the original infrastructure into a Linear Park. Much of the repair was limited by RI State budget constraints and other cost issues related to its age and the stress of multi-regional congested traffic traveling eastward to the
Seekonk/Fall River suburbs and Cape Cod. Along with the
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465:, in honor of his crossing with General Rochambeau. It linked the old Fox Point Boulevard on the Providence side with the intersection of Warren and Taunton Avenues - Watchemoket Square - both of which still terminate at the East Providence end of the bridge. The four-lane bridge, which carries two lanes in each direction, was marked by four approximately 15 ft high by 8 ft wide at the base by 3 ft deep (4.6x2.4x0.9 m) stone monuments, all having identical bronze dedications to Washington on them. The bridge structure itself, with its stone façade and arches under the roadway, is similar to the
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599:. The pins had been intact as of the last inspection in July 2023, but the newly-discovered damage put the bridge in danger of collapse. At 1 AM on Friday, December 15, two temporary westbound lanes opened using the eastbound structure, substantially reducing delays but leaving the highway with reduced capacity in both directions, a process that had originally been expected to take two to three weeks. A 500-person ferry was planned to start trips from 6am to 7pm every half hour on Monday, December 18, between India Point and
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518:. Its design includes decorative granite sections and spires, and its central section contains a plaza-like sitting area with half-circle concrete benches. The path is completely separated from I-195 automobile traffic and includes two wide bicycle lanes, and a separate wide pedestrian walkway. The linear park is named George Redman Linear Park, in honor of East Providence cyclist and park activist George Redman, who died in 2012 at age 88. A plaque honoring Redman can be seen on the west end of the park.
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In 1996, both bridges were repaired. The westbound bridge had large amounts of its steel understructure replaced, which required some lanes to be closed during the entire project. The eastbound bridge was patched by closing lanes at night, cutting holes in the surface, performing repairs, and opening
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Prior to the construction of bridges, tidal ferries provided the only means to cross the river. Tides propelled the ferries along guide ropes anchored on both sides. However, the ferries were unable to operate during bad weather, and travelers could be stranded on each side. Replacing the ferries
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has since reported that it will take longer than three months (but did not report the time estimated to complete work); WPRI also reported that the
Bristol-Providence ferry will stop service after January 19, 2024. On March 14, 2024, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee announced that the structure was
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before rejoining with
Interstate 195 via the Gano Street exit. The span had been carrying about 90,000 cars per day. Extreme volume along the detour route slowed typical trips across the river from a few minutes to over an hour; traffic on I-195 backed up into Massachusetts. East Providence schools
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The westbound span of the
Washington Bridge was suddenly closed on Monday, December, 11, 2023, after the Rhode Island Department of Transportation announced the discovery of "critical failure of some original bridge components". Westbound traffic was initially detoured on an alternate route through
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located one mile to the north, the
Washington Bridge is one of two spans crossing the Seekonk River in Providence. From 2012 to 2015, a bicycle and pedestrian park was constructed on a remaining section of the original Washington Bridge. The park opened in September 2015, at a total cost of $ 21.8
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Construction on a new westbound span began in April 1967. The
Federal Bureau of Public Roads wanted to build an inexpensive, plain steel bridge next to the more decorative concrete 1930s bridge. Rhode Island Public Works refused to accept a design for the new bridge that didn't harmonize with the
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With experience gained from reconstructing the concrete spandrel arch span Ashton
Viaduct, RIDOT opted to fully replace the portion of the 1930 bridge carrying vehicles with a new bridge. To avoid issues with obtaining new right of way, the new eastbound span was constructed starting in the gap
521:$ 25 million in federal funding was allocated in 2020 for a now-estimated $ 78 million rehabilitation of the westbound structure. The actual repairs were delayed by lawsuits from all the contractors that submitted bids; one contractor was disqualified and the bidding process restarted.
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were forced to indefinitely switch to an early-dismissal schedule, with remote learning only on the
Wednesday after the closure. State police were instructed to allow ambulances to cross one lane of the westbound bridge starting Tuesday, to maintain access to local hospitals;
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In 1959, the span, along with the approach roads, were redesignated as part of the newly created I-195, which, by the end of the year, extended to the
Massachusetts border. However, it was determined that future congestion on the bridge was far too much for its future use.
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When opened, the new linear park will be named the George Redman Linear Park after the late East Providence resident who was instrumental in making the East Bay Bike Path a reality 25 years ago, and who advocated for bike path development across the
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On August 16, 2024, Rhode Island sued thirteen companies for negligence, breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duties (among other claims) due to allegedly flawed design, inspection and maintenance activities involving the Washington Bridge.
380:. The pedestrian span is also a part of the Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail. As of December 11, 2023, the westbound bridge is closed to all but emergency vehicles due to critical safety issues. On March 14, 2024, Governor
425:(red bridge) to the north, connecting what are now the Providence and East Providence ends of Waterman Avenue. Replacements were built in 1807 and 1815 after each existing bridge was destroyed by weather. A steel truss
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is the only Level-1 trauma center for Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. The "critical failure" was sheared pins noticed several days prior by an engineer working on old eastbound deck demolition for
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million. The park consists of an 11-foot-wide bicycle lane, a separated footpath paved with stamped concrete, and several seating areas. The path offers scenic overlooks of the Seekonk River and
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417:. This bridge served as part of a turnpike that followed Taunton Avenue from Watchemoket Square to Taunton, Massachusetts. The same year, Brown's brother
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not repairable, and would require demolition and complete replacement, a process estimated to take at least two years and cost around $ 300 million.
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in Bristol. RIDOT's initial estimate for permanent westbound repairs was three months, depending on weather and other factors. Local TV station
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announced that the westbound bridge cannot be repaired. It will remain closed for at least two years so it may be replaced.
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Westbound traffic is re-routed onto the eastbound lanes on I-195 in East Providence, approaching the bridge.
376:. The historic portion of the bridge dating to 1930 serves as the pedestrian crossing, and bike link to the
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the lanes for the morning rush. In the early 2000s, rehabilitation had moved on to the eastbound span.
1074:"Engineer spotted 'concerning issue' 3 days before I-195 westbound bridge closed, R.I. DOT chief says"
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603:. RIPTA shuttle buses were planned to bring westbound passengers to bus and train connections at
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1208:"State files sweeping lawsuit over Washington Bridge shutdown. Here's who is in the crosshairs"
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The original (southern) span of the current bridge was opened on September 25, 1930, as a
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955:"Legendary Local Cyclist Inspires Washington Bridge Replacement :: Story ID: 21959"
1098:"Traffic improving with two bypass lanes now open on Washington Bridge in Rhode Island"
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901:"$ 21.8-million George Redman Linear Park is dedicated to pioneer of R.I. bike paths"
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847:"News & Press Releases - Rhode Island Rhode Island Department of Transportation"
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1260:"George Washington Bridge Closed for 2 years | Rhode Island Bicycle Coalition"
1144:"'Critical failure' will result in closure of Westbound lanes of Washington Bridge"
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711:"Westbound Washington Bridge needs to be demolished. What it means for the state"
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933:"A silver lining to the Washington Bridge fiasco? Mark Patinkin has found it"
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1279:"Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail (U.S. National Park Service)"
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John R. Ellement; Edward Fitzpatrick; Travis Andersen (December 15, 2023).
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Legal battles and delays: Why Washington Bridge repairs have taken so long
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Patrick Anderson; Wheeler Cowperthwaite; Katherine Gregg (March 14, 2024).
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786:"'You don't see this every day': Why is the Washington Bridge so strange?"
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South span: 1,671 feet (509 m), North span: 1,904 feet (580 m)
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The first bridge in this general location was constructed in 1793, when
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731:. White Plains, New York: Monarch Publishing, Inc. pp. 56–57.
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South span: 41 feet (12 m), North span: 42 feet (13 m)
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South span: 68 feet (21 m), North span: 61 feet (19 m)
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Bridge in Between Providence and East Providence, Rhode Island
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South span: 1930, North span: 1968, current south span: 2008
1181:"Washington Bridge repairs might take longer than expected"
978:. Rhode Island Department of Transportation. Archived from
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RIDOT announces 195 closure at westbound Washington Bridge
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Amanda Milkovits; Edward Fitzpatrick (December 12, 2023).
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with bridges would be a major advance in transportation.
748:. Rhode Island Department of Transportation. p. 69
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was then built in 1885, and carried a street car line.
871:"RIDOT to begin Washington Bridge linear park project"
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Bridges of the United States Numbered Highway System
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Buildings and structures in Providence, Rhode Island
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Bicycle and pedestrian traffic are separated on the
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788:. Providence, Rhode Island: The Providence Journal
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957:. Construction Equipment Guide. 2014-01-15
743:"Historic Highway Bridges of Rhode Island"
729:Our Heritage: A History of East Providence
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170:Rhode Island Department of Transportation
160:Rhode Island Department of Transportation
1341:Bridges on the Interstate Highway System
1122:Edward Fitzpatrick (December 15, 2023).
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1046:Travis Andersen (December 13, 2023).
405:1793 Washington Bridge plaque replica
1321:Bascule bridges in the United States
877:. State of Rhode Island. 5 July 2012
1361:1930 establishments in Rhode Island
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899:Kuffner, Alex (21 September 2015).
784:Anderson, Patrick (14 March 2024).
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1366:Steel bridges in the United States
1015:Doiron, Sarah (11 December 2023).
808:"Washington bridge bikeway closed"
181:South span: 2000, North span: 7000
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931:Patinkin, Mark (17 March 2024).
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597:Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.
374:East Providence, Rhode Island
35:Washington Bridge, Providence
1336:Road bridges in Rhode Island
585:and onto the newly reopened
573:A view under the closed span
544:closed due to bridge closure
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687:Crook Point Bascule Bridge
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1316:Bridges completed in 2008
1311:Bridges completed in 1968
1306:Bridges completed in 1930
727:Conforti, Joseph (1976).
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935:. The Providence Journal
903:. The Providence Journal
828:. September–October 2004
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64:41.819076°N 71.386993°W
1212:The Providence Journal
1148:The Providence Journal
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1236:www.documentcloud.org
713:. Providence Journal.
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822:"The Space Between"
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119:and 2 lanes of the
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658:Engineering portal
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1266:. 10 July 2012
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83:Ten lanes of
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1371:U.S. Route 1
1346:U.S. Route 6
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433:Current span
427:swing bridge
411:John Brown's
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294:Swing bridge
246:Carl L. Otto
201:Total length
150:Rhode Island
1191:January 14,
1153:11 December
1026:11 December
366:India Point
364:connecting
354:US Route 44
67: /
42:Coordinates
1300:Categories
1288:2017-07-27
1270:2017-07-27
1264:Ribike.org
1241:2024-08-18
1217:2024-08-18
986:2014-05-13
961:2017-07-27
856:2017-07-27
832:2023-12-17
693:References
536:Westbound
421:built the
415:drawbridge
370:Providence
350:US Route 6
323:References
301:Statistics
142:Providence
117:US 1A
113:US 44
55:71°23′13″W
52:41°49′09″N
455:architect
382:Dan McKee
360:over the
344:carrying
243:Architect
177:ID number
109:US 6
1185:WPRI.com
939:17 March
792:17 March
628:See also
451:engineer
314:Location
290:Replaces
220:of spans
191:Material
140:Between
115: /
111: /
107: /
1283:Nps.gov
752:15 June
601:Bristol
388:History
342:bridges
282:Rebuilt
272: (
238:History
127:Crosses
80:Carries
992:state.
875:RI.GOV
851:Ri.gov
356:, and
267:Opened
137:Locale
746:(PDF)
538:I-195
419:Moses
209:Width
195:Steel
156:Owner
105:I-195
1193:2024
1155:2023
1028:2023
1021:WPRI
941:2024
909:2015
883:2015
794:2024
754:2014
617:WPRI
607:and
336:The
309:None
306:Toll
144:and
469:in
368:in
218:No.
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