By Donita Naylor
The viaduct has been closed since March. The $9.4 million contract with Northern Construction Services included a $10,000-per-day incentive clause to open early. The clause was capped at 30 days. Precast components were used wherever possible.
SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- The bridge that carries George Washington Highway (Route 116) over the Stillwater Reservoir will reopen Wednesday, five weeks ahead of schedule, officials at the Rhode Island Department of Transportation announced Friday.
The viaduct has been closed since March. The $9.4 million contract with Northern Construction Services included a $10,000-per-day incentive clause to open early. The clause was capped at 30 days. Precast components were used wherever possible.
If the DOT had kept the bridge partially open to traffic, the project would have taken three to four years, the news release said. Director Michael P. Lewis was quoted as saying the DOT "will continue to pursue the use of accelerated bridge construction techniques."