Newport City Closing Long Bridge in March 2012

Friday, February 17, 2012

NEWPORT CITY -- The contractor selected to take down one of the city's two access bridges and build a new one will
meet next week with city officials and neighboring businesses.

The pre-construction meeting about replacing Veterans Memorial Long Bridge is set for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Newport
City council room in the municipal building.

Officials with Reed & Reed Inc., the Maine company doing the work, will attend, said Francine Perkins of FRP Enterprises
who is handling public relations for the project.

On Thursday, Perkins said the closing date would be announced next week.

"Closure dates and an overview of the project will be discussed and confirmed at the pre-construction meeting," Perkins
said.

State transportation officials expect the closure to come as soon as early March.

The bridge access will be closed off to vehicles and pedestrians during the $6 million project. The new bridge would open
sometime in the summer or fall of 2013.