BRISTOL, R.I. (WPRI) — The Mount Hope Bridge has reopened ahead of schedule after closing Thursday night to undergo much-needed resurfacing work.
The last time the bridge, which goes from Bristol to Portsmouth, closed was in 1986 when it underwent a re-decking project.
BACKGROUND: Mount Hope Bridge closed for resurfacing project
“Thanks to a great crew and beautiful weather, we were able to complete the resurfacing project ahead of schedule,” Lori Caron Silveira, executive director of the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) said. “I appreciate the hard work of the crew at J.H. Lynch and the engineering team at RITBA, who ran this project with clockwork precision.”
“I also want to thank the town leaders in Bristol and Portsmouth for their collaboration an support,” Caron Silveira continued. “We hope that everyone enjoys the smoother ride over this beautiful bridge.”
RITBA previously said the bridge would be closed to all traffic through Monday at 5 a.m.
ALSO READ: ‘I went all the way around’: RI native recalls Mount Hope Bridge closure 39 years ago
According to the agency, the first cars crossed the bridge shortly after 7:30 p.m. and this project was done “33 hours ahead of schedule.”…