08-R266

2008 -- H 8348

Enacted 06/04/08

 

 

H O U S E  R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO BEGIN REPAIRS TO THE COVE BRIDGE

     

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Gallison, Rice, Amaral, and Loughlin

     Date Introduced: June 04, 2008

 

    

 

     WHEREAS, The Cove Bridge, also known as “The Escape Bridge”, is located in Island

Park, Portsmouth, Rhode Island. It is a state bridge and state road, thereby falling under

responsibility of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation; and

     WHEREAS, In May of 2008, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (DOT)

issued new weight restrictions for the bridge, prohibiting all vehicles over 10 tons from crossing.

The new restriction will prohibit emergency vehicles and tractor-trailers from using the bridge,

and will force them to seek alternate routes; and

     WHEREAS, An average of 2,100 vehicles cross the Cove Bridge daily, including six

school buses of kindergarten, high, middle, elementary and parochial school students that use the

bridge as part of their normal route, but will have to be rerouted, causing additional time delays

for local school children; and

     WHEREAS, The Cove Bridge is an essential part of the transportation infrastructure to

nearby neighborhoods, and proper maintenance and repairs are necessary for its long-term

continued existence. The DOT has stated it has no immediate plans to repair the bridge; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby urges the Director of the Department of Transportation to make it

a priority and immediately begin repairs to the Cove Bridge; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Director of the Department of

Transportation.

     

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LC03060

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