A bit bewildered by all of
the recent bridge project activity? We don't blame you! The
following timeline, with links to key communications, press releases, and
photos, should be just what you need:
| Date | Event | Click below to learn more ... |
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The Federal Highway Administration issues a Memorandum of Agreement, which outlines the results of the Section 106 review of the impact of the proposed project to the bridges' historic qualities. This review considers the input of at leat 5 consulting parties, of which the Neighbors of Rawson Road Bridges is one, and has been ongoing for more than a year. The project cannot begin until this process is complete. | NHPA Section 106 Info |
| May 10, 2002 | The Neighbors are present as RIDOT presents a modified plan, which includes wooden planks on both bridges. DOT budget cuts will delay the beginning of the project. | Project Summary |
| Nov. 16, 2001 | The Neighbors meet with Melisa Ridenour and Anthony Rotundo of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and learn that they have asked RIDOT to modify plans for the smaller bridge to include wooden planks. | |
| Nov. 8, 2001 | Mayor Daniel McKee submits a letter to RIDOT to confirm details of "traffic calming" plans for Rawson Road. He also indicates support for wooden planks on the smaller bridge, which, we later learn, is a significant milestone. The Cumberland Historic District Commission also issues a letter of support. | Letter 1 |
| Sept. 4, 2001 | The Neighbors submit a third letter under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106, detailing the historic structures that are endangered by the Rawson Bridges project. | Letter |
| August 21, 2001 | The Neighbors submit a second letter under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106, this time to the Federal Highway Administration. | Letter |
| July 31, 2001 | The Neighbors hold a community meeting to discuss their follow-up strategy. The attendees elect not to accept the now-approved RIDOT plan, and unanimously choose to continue pursuing alternatives. | Press Release |
| July 26, 2001 | Mayor McKee issues a letter to the community explaining his confirmation of the RIDOT plan, and that RIDOT will propose a traffic calming plan that addreses pedestrian safety. | Letter |
| July 26, 2001 | Mayor McKee approves RIDOT's plan, which includes wooden planks for only one bridge. | Letter |
| July 25, 2001 | Dr. William Ankner, RIDOT Director, asks for the Mayor's approval by Aug 8 in order to schedule the Rawson bridges project for 2003. | Letter (page 1) |
| July 23, 2001 | Mayor McKee issues a letter
to the community explaining:
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Letter (page 1) |
| July 17, 2001 | The Rawson Bridges Summit: the Neighbors meet with RIDOT, Mayor McKee, and other Cumberland officials to attempt to negotiate unresolved issues. The blueprint misunderstanding (see below) remains. Few compromises are reached. | Summary |
| week of
July 9, 2001 |
The Mayor's office instructs the Neighbors to submit a blueprint of new bridge plans prior to the July 17 Summit. (This is a vote of confidence in our organization, to be sure, since RIDOT typically requires months to produce a plan.) The Neighbors clarify in writing that this was not the meeting's purpose. | |
| July 6, 2001 | Mayor McKee issues a letter to the community clarifying that he did not sign off on the RIDOT plan, as was reported in the local media and on this web site. He also stated thad wood planking was among the "conditions that the town has made before agreeing to the project". | Letter (with our Commentary) |
| July 5, 2001 | Channel 12 airs a special piece on the bridges, hosted by Glenn Laxton. Mayor McKee agrees to hear the Neighbors' suggestions for alternatives to RIDOT's plan. | Press Release |
| July 4, 2001 | Concerned citizens and the Neighbors committee march in the Arnold Miss July 4 parade and gather numerous petition signatures. | Press Release |
| June 28, 2001 | The Neighbors hold a rally at the bridges to communicate with concerned citizens. | Press Release |
| June 22, 2001 | The Neighbors send a formal letter of opposition to RIDOT and the Mayor. | Letter |
| June 12, 2001 | RIDOT holds a "Final Public Meeting" at Cumberland Town Hall to present the bridge plans. | RIDOT's presentation |
| July 3, 2000 | The Neighbors also submit a letter outlining recommendations for traffic issues that are in the town's control (speeding and signs.) | Letter |
| July 3, 2000 | The Neighbors respond to an invitation from RIDOT by submitting a letter outlining their concerns about the then-proposed plan. This process is part of the Section 106 Review, which the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) requires federal agencies (in this case, the DOT) to conduct for projects on historic structures such as the Rawson Road bridges. | Letter |
