Federal funds to help reconstruct Pawt. bridge

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WPRI) - Changes are being made to improve the safety of Rhode Island’s bridges.

Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, along with Representative David Cicilline announced on Tuesday that over $3.3 million in federal funds will be used to aid the Pawtucket River Bridge on I-95.

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation found the bridge’s steel beams and other supports were deteriorating in 2007.

Earlier this year, a portion of the bridge had to be dismantled after the discovery that a number of beams were misaligned.

“This federal grant will support the long-overdue reconstruction of the Pawtucket River Bridge, making the bridge safer and more accessible," said Whitehouse.

The Federal Highway Administration funds are financing 80 percent of the $81 million project, and the state is covering the rest of the costs.

RIDOT recently completed the first round of construction on the bridge.

It was originally built in 1958.

The bridge now transports traffic traveling northbound and the 18-ton weight limit has been lifted on I-95 North.