RIDOT Fixing Popular EP Bike Path

In a recent press release, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) said they are ready to repair 12 miles of the East Bay Bike Path from Bristol to East Providence, removing cracks and resurfacing one of the state's most popular bikeways. Approximately 900,000 people use this path annually.

Starting in late March, path users have encountered crews on the path on weekdays. "They will cut back brush and limbs encroaching on the bike path, remove any hanging limbs or dead trees, patch cracks, and clean up debris blown down from this winter's strong storms."

In late spring, RIDOT will resurface the path between Independence Park in Bristol and Riverside Square in East Providence. There are some sections in between that were resurfaced in the past few years through local utility work, and those areas will be seal-coated. The cost for this work is $1.4 million.

"The path will not be closed. There may be brief daytime closures in areas where crews are working, and no work will take place on weekends. When paving and restriping takes place in late spring, single day closures of short sections of bikeway will be needed."

All schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. The project is scheduled to finish in late June.

"Repairs to the East Bay Bike Path are made possible by RhodeWorks, RIDOT's ongoing commitment to repair structurally deficient bridges and bring Rhode Island's transportation infrastructure into a state of good repair, promote economic development, and create jobs."

The East Bay Bike Path is the first multi-town bike path built in Rhode Island. It travels 14.5 miles from India Point Park in Providence to Independence Park in Bristol, passing many state and local parks and recreation areas. Connecting neighborhoods, schools and business districts, the path is popular with commuting cyclists heading into Providence. The bikeway was constructed in four phases from 1987 to 1992.