SMITHFIELD – The R.I. Department of Transportation was scheduled to reopen the Stillwater Viaduct to traffic last week, approximately five weeks ahead of schedule.

The 80-year-old, 450-foot-long bridge has 11 spans, including huge concrete arches over the water. It carries Route 116 (George Washington Highway) over the Stillwater Reservoir.

The bridge has been closed to all traffic since March while the department replaced the superstructure, made substructure repairs and performed concrete repairs to the bridge’s arches. The replacement structure is the same width as the existing bridge, with sidewalks on both sides.

The work was completed through a $9.4 million contract with Northern Construction Services. DOT said the company made use of precast components wherever possible and took advantage a $10,000-per-day incentive clause in the contract for every day ahead of schedule the bridge was open to traffic, up to a maximum of 30 days. •