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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