Magnolia Bridge Project meeting tonight

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - The Rhode Island Department of Transportation is scheduled to appear at a neighborhood meeting hosted by Providence City Councilwoman Sabina Matos Tuesday night to provide information and answer questions regarding the removal of the Magnolia Bridge.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at the William D'Abate School, 60 Kossuth Street in Providence.

This bridge carries Route 6 East over the Plainfield Street ramps just before its intersection with Route 10. It's 63 years old, has significant concrete deterioration throughout, and is considered structurally deficient.

This project calls for the removal of this bridge and a realignment of Route 6 on an embankment instead of building a new bridge. It's scheduled to begin later this year.

The removal of the bridge will allow RIDOT to make improvements for both highway and local traffic in this area of Providence.

Route 6 will be shifted slightly to the north, and the on-ramp from Plainfield Street to Route 6 East will be shifted from the left side of the highway to the right side.

These changes will improve safety and traffic flow by softening a curve and increasing the space between ramps.

With this work, the off-ramp from U.S. Route 6 West to Plainfield Street will be closed permanently.

Traffic will be directed to use the next exit to Hartford Avenue, which affords easy access to Plainfield Street. RIDOT is planning improvements along many streets and intersections to accommodate traffic during construction and for its final configuration.

Click here for a map depicting the proposed improvements. Those with questions can contact RIDOT's Customer Service office at 401-222-2450 weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.