Rehoboth Residents Concerned about Bridge Work

Residents are concerned about traffic being diverted through their neighborhoods due to ongoing work on a bridge on Route 44. Selectman Lenny Mills said that is state road and has nothing to do with the town. Mills noted the work is not due to be completed until 2028.

For now, trucks with certain weights are not allowed to go over the bridge. They have to take a right on Danforth Street and then a left onto River Street in order to get back onto Route 44 west.

“If you live on Danforth or River Street, that’s a real, real problem,” Mills said at Monday’s Board of Selectmen meeting.

The roadways were monitored with the Rehoboth Police and a survey was sent out to the neighbors. Signs will be put up to notify truck drivers about not using “jake” breaks, a loud noise when you let off the accelerator of an 18 wheeler.

“If they exceed 36 tons, everyone knows 36 tons is 72,000 pounds or heavier, those trucks loaded could be 115,000 pounds,” Mills continued. “That’s a lot of weight. They’re going down a private road that’s narrow and not designed to carry them. What we’ve done is posted the speed limit over there. We’re going to have more monitoring by the police.”

Mills is worried about the winter when the trucks have to follow school buses onto those side streets, especially River Street.

“That’s a bad curve,” Mills noted.”I’m concerned about slippage.”

Mills also said the trucking companies would be made aware of any damage to the roadways.

“We’re going to hold them accountable,” Mills added.