A ‘tipping point’ on bridge project?

For almost a decade Sharon Steele, president of Building Bridges Providence Inc., has waited for ground to break on the proposed I-195 pedestrian bridge.

The project, which repurposes almost 7 acres of reclaimed land from I-195 into two parks on either side of the river and a pedestrian bridge to connect the parcels, has been beset by delays and design changes. The latest hurdle for proponents involves bids for construction costs that far exceed the amount estimated by the R.I. Department of Transportation.

Last month the state received the first bids for the project, initially expected to be completed in 2013. They ranged from $21.7 million to $16.9 million. Charles St. Martin, RIDOT’s acting chief public affairs officer, said the state only earmarked $13.2 million.

RIDOT will not reopen the bid process, he said, adding the agency remains committed to the project.

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He declined to discuss the possibility of additional funding sources to help cover the higher-than-expected bids, which only cover bridge construction and some structural work tied to the parks.

But St. Martin did say, “RIDOT is committed to … [keeping] programs on time, on schedule and on budget.”

If RIDOT does stick to its schedule, a bid will be accepted this month.

That would be welcome news to Steele, whose nonprofit will help manage the parks and draw business investors to nearby land parcels being marketed for development. She worries yet another deadline will pass with no movement on the bridge.

“Once the bids came in and were published we have heard nothing,” she said.

In less than a year the South Street Landing project – a $220 million rehabilitation of a former electric plant to house college nursing programs and administrative offices – will open, said Steele. “The whole point of this was to have a working pedestrian bridge and park to be part of that grand opening.

“We are at the tipping point” on the bridge project, she said.

Dyana Koelsch, principal at DK Communications, which represents the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission, refused to comment on whether alternative design ideas exist or if the project’s budget has been scaled down.

She said construction for the pedestrian bridge is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2016, with the parks following a year later.

Despite the delays, Steele says the bridge remains critical to the development of the former highway land.

“The bridge … is literally the link between the east and west ends of the city,” said Steele.

In order “for the I-195 corridor to be a successful economic engine,” the bridge must be in place, she added. “The addition of businesses drawn by [the former highway land’s] redevelopment will make the Jewelry District a completed neighborhood.” •

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