Community Corner

RI Officials Break Ground On Replacing East Bay Bike Path Bridges

The old bridges date back to the 1880s and were converted from railroad bridges to bike path bridges in the 1980s.

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The project was paid for by McKee's administration, moving $10 million into its 10-year plan to fund the bridges. State officials said U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse also helped the administration secure $14 million in federal funding.
The project was paid for by McKee's administration, moving $10 million into its 10-year plan to fund the bridges. State officials said U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse also helped the administration secure $14 million in federal funding. (Courtesy of Gov. Dan McKee's Office)

BARRINGTON, RI ā€” Gov. Dan McKee joined state and local leaders Monday to break ground on the East Bay Bike Patch Bridges project.

The $24 million project will replace both bridges, which allow bikers to pass over the Barrington and Palmer Rivers.

"For more than 30 years, these bike path bridges have been the highlight for riders of the East Bay Bike Path," McKee said in a statement. "And now, thanks to the efforts of our Administration and Rhode Island's Congressional delegation, we have the funds to replace both bridges and restore these iconic crossings."

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The project was paid for by McKee's administration, moving $10 million into its 10-year plan to fund the bridges. State officials said U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse also helped the administration secure $14 million in federal funding.

"The East Bay Bike Path turned 30 this year. Itā€™s a tremendous community asset, and Iā€™m proud to help deliver over $14 million in federal funds to help replace these bridge sections and make it stronger and safer for the next thirty years and beyond," Reed said in a statement. "Replacing the bridges is a major capital investment that will pay off for generations. Iā€™m proud to have worked at the federal level to help make it happen. And Iā€™m looking forward to the day when we can return to this spot on bikes and cycle across this new, smooth, accessible and sustainable section of the East Bay Bike Path."

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The demolition of the old bridges is expected to begin once environmental permits are secured. State officials said they expect the final project to be completed by the end of 2025. Each new bridge will be about 300 feet long and 14 feet wide. More details on the bridge design will be available next spring once the design and permitting phase is complete.

The old bridges date back to the 1880s and were converted from railroad bridges to bike path bridges in the 1980s. RIDOT closed the bridges in late 2019 due to their deteriorated and unsafe condition.

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