Circulator project in hibernation for now, but on schedule

Martha Smith
Posted 2/24/15

Richard J. Crenca might have wished for warmer weather and less snow, but not necessarily for the same reasons as most Warwick residents.

The city’s principal planner and liaison with the DOT on …

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Circulator project in hibernation for now, but on schedule

Posted

Richard J. Crenca might have wished for warmer weather and less snow, but not necessarily for the same reasons as most Warwick residents.

The city’s principal planner and liaison with the DOT on the Apponaug Circulator had every reason to believe the project would be humming along.

“It’s moving pretty well,” he said in an interview in early January. “The Post Road section near [Gorton’s Pond] is where they’re finishing the drainage system, utility poles and overhead wires. On Centerville Road they’re real strong in [demolishing] the old storage area.”

That was then and this is now, as they say, complete with temperatures of minus 8 and mountains of snow that put one in mind of Juneau, Alaska without the lovely mountains.

Rose Amoros, chief public affairs officer for the DOT, said, “Despite the snow, the project remains on time and on budget.” Because crews were working like they had the National Weather Service on speed dial, they managed to bank enough time in advance so a blizzard and several successive snowstorms didn’t throw them off their game.

“The drainage work is currently on hold because of the weather,” said Amoros, “but we were ahead of where we needed to be coming into the winter so the overall schedule won’t fall behind.”

The schedule calls for construction of the roundabout that got underway last fall at Post Road and West Shore Road and will last until the third and final phase is completed in summer of 2016; from spring 2015 to fall 2016 a roundabout will be constructed in six phases at Centerville and Toll Gate Roads; from summer 2015 to summer 2016 a roundabout will be built at Veterans Memorial Drive and Post Road in four phases; and from fall 2015 to fall 2016 a roundabout will be completed in five phases at Greenwich Avenue and Veterans Memorial Drive. The overall project, being built by Cardi Construction under a $30 million contract, is to be completed by late 2017.

“Weather permitting, the utility companies will continue to relocate overhead wires on Post Road and Centerville Road and the contractor will continue prepping the former mill site for the construction of the new Veterans Memorial Drive Extension. Right now crews are digging up remnants of the old mill buildings such as retaining walls, underground tanks and concrete slabs.

“The goal is to complete these preparations by the end of the winter so construction can begin on the new roadway in the spring,” said Amoros.

Preparation of the old water tower for demolition has moved at glacier-like speed.

“There are still a few things that need to happen before the demolition can take place,” said Amoros, “including removal of some Verizon Wireless equipment as well as asbestos abatement. Weather permitting, we expect demolition to begin by early spring.”

Weather permitting is the operative phrase here.

Comments

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  • Thecaptain

    Unfortunately, substandard construction and code compliance failure are notable throughout the circular as of this date.

    Tuesday, February 24, 2015 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    In all fairness I should note that in 2011 RI had the worst roads in the country. We are getting better, now we are tied with CT for the worst roads in the country with 41% of our roads in the state in substandard condition.

    http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2014/07/top-10-states-worst-roads.html

    Tuesday, February 24, 2015 Report this

  • wwkvoter

    Well Thank you "Captain Downer"

    Wednesday, February 25, 2015 Report this