Portsmouth Officials to be Briefed on Mt. Hope Bridge Repair Plan

PORTSMOUTH, RI—Town officials will be briefed by the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority later this month about upcoming repair and maintenance projects slated for the Mt. Hope Bridge over the next few years.

The authority will provide a review of the upcoming projects at the Aug. 22 Portsmouth Town Council meeting, according to a news release.

The bridge projects are outlined in the recently-released 10 year "Renewal and Replacement" plan, of which the Mt. Hope Bridge will consume 23 percent of the total $223.4 million budget.

The 87-year-old historic Mt. Hope Bridge will undergo steel superstructure repairs, retrofits and bridge deck repairs. Officials hope that short-term repairs will help avoid a complete deck replacement.

The narrow deck carries just two lanes for cars, and the concern is that the bridge could be taken out of service entirely if the bridge deck needs to be replaced. Repairs will "minimize as much traffic disruption as possible."

Other repairs include cable rehabilitation and dehumidifaction.

Construction on the bridge first began in 1927 and opened to traffic in 1929. The three-span suspension bridge extends 285 above the water and spans 1,200 feet. It once was the largest span bridge in New England.

More than half of the repair costs for the bridge are expected to be spent on main cable rehabilitation and superstructure painting and steel repairs.

Read: the 10-Year-Plan