Traffic Patterns to Change Near Depot Street Bridge

Depot Street will be limited to one-way traffic because of concerns over a hole in the sidewalk that could endanger pedestrians and motorists.

Town assistant engineer Brian Szczurko recommended to selectmen Tuesday that traffic be limited to one-way, going west-bound from Route 122.

Fences will be installed in the next few days, he said. The town is also looking to install Jersey barriers to keep pedestrians and vehicles away from the sidewalk, he said.

The state Department of Transportation strongly advised the town to close the sidewalk, Szczurko said.

The weakness in the sidewalk poses a potential threat to pedestrians as well as motorists. Without protection from the Jersey barriers, cars could skid and crash through the weakened sidewalk into the Blackstone River below, he said.

Selectmen raised concerns about the best way to re-route traffic in the area. Acting on a suggestion  from town resident John LaPoint, they asked Szczurko to look at a previous traffic study done in the area.

They also questioned whether a temporary light could be placed at the site. Costs could range from $40,000 to $70,000 for that measure, selectmen were told.

The bridge was built in 1925 so "age is an issue,'' Szczurko said. 

But the structure itself is sound, he said, other than the issues with the sidewalk.