| Bridge
Feature |
RIDOT
Plan |
Neighbors'
Proposal |
Current
Status
”Agreement”
headings reflect the results of the July 17 Summit and developments since |
| Bridge
surface |
Asphalt overlay
on concrete deck |
Wood planking,
to maintain character and discourage speeding |
Agreement
As of May 2002, RIDOT has modified
its plans to include wooden planking on both bridges.
|
Road width
(between and approaching
bridges) |
Widen 7-8 feet
(from the current width of approximately 18') |
Keep as is to
preserve mature trees |
No Agreement
24' proposed width for the roadways
was reduced to 22'.
Result may mean an impact to
more than a dozen nearby trees.
|
| Bridge width |
Widen to 24'
travel lane (waived from 30' Federal requirement) |
Keep as is (19'
travel lane; 21' total) to match road width;
or, widen to 24’, with a
19’ travel lane and 5’ for pedestrians;
or, reduce to 1 lane |
No Agreement
RIDOT proposes a "non negotiable"
24’ travel lane. Total width of each bridge will be 28.5 feet.
Federal guidelines do not address
minimum widths for secondary bridges.
20.5’ Albion bridge deemed "a
mistake".
|
| Drainage system |
6 catch basins
with curbing per bridge |
Eliminate them;
keep paved survace at minimum to reduce runoff |
Agreement
(prior to the 7/17/01 meeting)
RIDOT eliminated a closed drainage
system from the plan.
Reduces the impact to the surrounding
area.
|
| Bridge rail |
2'3" height
requirement, crashability (4" tubular steel, 2 rail OR 1.5' steel backed
timbers) |
Use 4" tubular
steel, 2 rail; use context sensitive design |
Agreement
Existing decorative pieces to
be refurbished and replaced on new bridge.
Tubular steel rails are inconspicuous
next to the existing decorative pieces.
|
| Transition
rails and guard rails (on road) |
40-50' on each
side of bridge; guard rails of 1.5' steel backed timbers |
Decrease length
on each side drastically. Use wood -- if not bulky -- or 2-rail,
4" tubular steel, and context sensitive design. |
Agreement
The Neighbors proposed use of
less obtrusive wooden rails, as in Foster.
Town Council to review the options
(including continuous two bar steel rail or rustic steel rail).
RIDOT has reassessed the rails’
length and reduce them considerably.
|
| Weight limits |
25 - 44 tons
(variation due to measurement
of per-axle versus per-vehicle weight) |
Increase current
load capacity of 3 tons to the minimum federal standard to accommodate
a fire truck (25 tons), and use signage. |
Agreement
The bridge will be built to
withstand the loads as proposed by RIDOT.
The town may use signage to
limit the types of traffic permitted.
Emergency vehicles would still
be permitted, as the bridges would be strong enough to carry them.
|
| Signage |
None |
Prohibit traffic greater
than 5-8 tons. Exclude commercial traffic, and provide exceptions for school
buses and emergency vehicles. |
Resolution in Progress
The Neighbors representatives
made a proposal.
Police Chief Anthony Silva committed
to enforce the posted weight limit.
Town Council to review the options.
|
Speed control
devices
("traffic calming") |
None |
Options include:
maintaining the low speed limit, cobblestone strips flush with road, a
3-way stop at Newell Drive and Rawson Road, and periodic posting of a police
car. |
Resolution in Progress
RIDOT has agreed to pay for
speed controls.
Mayor notified RIDOT 11/8/01
that he requests 5 "speed humps" on Rawson Road and that there should be
accommodation for pedestrian traffic between the bridges.
|
| Landscaping
and tree removal |
Remove at least 6 mature
oak trees, a row of hemlocks, and possibly a row of pine trees. |
Exercise vigilance in protecting
every possible tree. |
Resolution Uncertain
Wetlands permitting process
may determine the fate of the pine trees between the bridges.
Mayor also asked RIDOT to reconsider
tree impact in September traffic calming proposal.
|
| Decorative
elements |
None |
Keep color as is; disguise
concrete slabs (also see Bridge Rails section above) |
Resolution Uncertain
Details not yet finalized.
|
