Improvements To Pell Bridge Could Extend Its Life 50-75 Years

NEWPORT, RI — The Claiborne Pell Bridge in Newport will get a second lease on life stretching about 50 to 75 years after an $82.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Reps. Jim Langevin and David Cicilline joined state and union officials to celebrate upgrading the bridge that connects Newport and Jamestown. Monday’s event took place at the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority’s Jamestown headquarters with the Pell Bridge in the background.

The Pell Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in New England and carries about 27,000 vehicles daily, according to the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority. The bridge opened for traffic in 1969 and needs a partial reconstruction of the bridge deck and west approach spans, a dehumidification system installed to the main cables and anchorage and repairs to the tower elevators.

"The Newport Pell Bridge is a critical asset that gets a lot of wear and tear from traffic and the elements," Reed said in a statement. "This federal funding will help RITBA keep it in tip-top shape for years to come. I was pleased to help kick-start the bridge ramp realignment project with a $20 million federal grant in 2018. This latest infusion of federal funding will help refurbish and maintain the bridge, improve safety, and extend its lifespan."

The project will include a partial depth replacement and rehabilitation of the bridge deck in the main suspended and west approach spans. Climate change has led to more severe storms and more frequent use of salt and other treatments to make the road safe for travel, accelerating the loss of pavement quality, state officials said. The new pavement will be made of a denser material that is more resistant to the effects of chemical deterioration.