"May" is always a bureaucratic euphemism for "Won't"  --  Howard

-----Original Message-----
From: Brown University Bicycle Commuting List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Rogers, Donald
Sent: Tuesday, May 08, 2007 8:51 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [BIKE-TO-BROWN] FW: RIDOT News Release - I-195 EB Washington Bridge walkway to close for construction

Hi, folks. This morning I received the full official press release from RIDOT on the Washington Bridge sidewalk closure. See the full text below. As Connie said, it's planned to be closed for 17 months or more. As a reminder, Mark and I are heading out from the CIT loading dock at 12:15 today to tour a few of the route options to and from the Henderson Bridge. Hope you can join us, but if not we'll provide maps that summarize the best recommendations soon after we get back.

Note that the press release also announces that following the sidewalk closure, work will *begin* on new aspects of the overpass above Valley St., so we should generally expect a lot of closures on that detour, too, forcing us to use one of the more arcane routes that we'vew all been tossing around to get from the top of the EBBP to the East Side. 

Also, I don't like their use of the following phrase: 

"This project *may* be followed immediately by construction of a new Washington Bridge Linear Park." [emphasis added]

Makes you go 'hmmm.'

Let me know if you have any questions, and I'll forward them to RIDOT. I am working up a draft requesting their action on demarcating some bike space on the Henderson bridge as a mitigation for this bloackage to commuter routes.

Thanks,

Don

[Church, Steve] wrote on Tuesday, May 08, 2007 7:51 AM:
> RIDOT News Release
> 5/7/2007
> Contact: Frances Segerson 401-222-1362 Ext. 4012 PR Number: 46-07
> 
> I-195 EB Washington Bridge walkway to close for construction
> The continuing construction of I-195 on the Washington Bridge
> will bring a temporary end to the use of an old Washington
> Bridge walkway for both bicyclists and pedestrians. RIDOT had
> originally expected to close the walkway in July 2006, and
> postponed it by erecting protective screening between the
> bike path and the construction area.
> 
> The walkway will now close on Monday, May 21 and will remain
> closed for at least 17 months, possibly longer. Recreational
> bike riders are being encouraged to start their East Bay Bike
> Path rides at one of the many parking areas in East
> Providence which are noted on RIDOT's BikeRI web site at
> www.dot.state.ri.us/bikeri. Cycling commuters heading to
> Providence should consider using the Henderson Bridge, or
> crossing with their bikes on RIPTA buses (www.ripta.com)
> which pass over the Washington Bridge, bus routes such as
> Route 32 West Barrington, Route 33 Riverside, Route 34 East
> Providence, and Route 60 Providence / Newport. Bike racks are
> available on all RIPTA buses. 
> 
> Closure of the walkway will allow for reconstruction of a
> section the Exit 4 ramp which passes over Valley Street in
> East Providence. Construction is expected to be complete in
> October 2008. This project may be followed immediately by
> construction of a new Washington Bridge Linear Park. The park
> will feature an 11-foot wide bike path and a separate
> seven-foot wide walking path. A wide area in the center of
> the park will offer benches, decorative lighting and
> plantings that will give riders and walkers a space to pause
> and admire the view.
> 
> The $15 million Linear Park project will preserve a segment
> of the old Washington Bridge by reusing its historic southern
> façade. An interactive presentation with multiple views of
> the new bike path bridge can be found on RIDOT's web site at
> www.dot.state.ri.us/bikeri/WashingtonBridge.
> 
> 
> -30-

ik	

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