RIDOT closing part of Coventry Greenway

COVENTRY, R.I. (WPRI) --The Rhode Island Department of Transportation , (RIDOT), announced that it is going to close off a section of the Coventry Greenway on August 20, 2012.

Closed off from Station Street to the undeveloped section near Town Farm Road, the path will be reconstructed since it was built almost 20 years ago.

The $2.6 million contract with Cardi Corporation will help the path, but also construct an equestrian trail that will run parallel to the path. A new parking lot for horse trailers will even be added to the equestrian trail.

For the safety of all who use the path, the Department requested that it be closed off, and the construction should be completed by summer of 2013.

“The decision to close a bikeway is made only after careful consideration of our options and a determination of how to ensure the safety of path users during construction,” said RIDOT Director, Michael P. Lewis.

The project will also include the construction of a trail to the Coventry Town Hall and a new parking area for the Coventry Public Library. The path in the Anthony section of Coventry and the path near Whitford Street and the West Warwick town line will also experience closings for drainage repairs.

The RIDOT said that parts of the paths may reopen sooner than expected, and updates on their construction can be found at www.dot.ri.gov/bikeri . To contact the RIDOT’s customer service line with any construction questions, call 401-222-2450 weekdays from 7:30 a.m. till 4:00 p.m.