The railroad bridge, which spans the Seekonk River, is 117 years old and was closed for use in 1976. It was left in the upright position and remained that way to allow boats to travel beneath it.
Plans by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation to demolish the bridge six years ago were thwarted when it was placed on the Providence Preservation Society’s list of most endangered properties.
Although Mayor Smiley has admitted that the city has no plans made yet for the bridge, he nevertheless feels it shows promise. He points to Providence’s pedestrian bridge that began its renovation 20 years ago without plans or funding. As a result of a design competition is now a great public space. He said:
“We don’t have funding lined up right now, but I’m confident this could be a destination. It’s iconic, it’s on T-Shirts and Mugs, and I don’t want to lose that part of our history.”
Many organizations turn to Print shops for customized items like printed T-Shirts or Mugs.
Four years ago, the R.I. capital sough proposals for repurposing the Crook Point Bascule Bridge and a favorite was selected. That proposal, however, has not made any progress and no one knows whether Smiley will consider that proposal or keep looking.
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