Project Costs & Evaluation

Costs to the town of Cumberland to rehabilitate and erect the bridge on the new site was $130,000. The granite foundation blocks were provided at no cost by RIDOT, while the expense of their transportation to Cumberland was $3,350. The most expensive item in the budget was the $49,500 to install the foundation. Repairs to the bridge superstructure, excluding paint and sandblasting, were $8,525, while the cost of installation was $17,110.

The cost of relocating the historic bridge from Smithfield to Cumberland was $72,000 and was covered by RIDOT and the Federal Highway Administration as part of the bridge replacement project at Smithfield. It was an allowable form of mitigation to the adverse effect of the bridge replacement project. The new Stillwater Road Bridge in Smithfield has not yet been constructed, but is projected to cost $150,000. Nearby crossings currently handle road traffic.

Figure 10. The new lattice girders are shown as installed on the bridge. Photo: Joseph P. Saldibar III.

The Stillwater Road Bridge was destined for certain loss, despite its long history and contributing presence in the Georgiaville Historic District. Although the new Cumberland site required some modifications to the old bridge, no other solution was more suitable. The only viable options were to move the bridge to the Valley Falls Industrial Heritage Park in Cumberland, or to dismantle and warehouse it for an indefinite period of time. RIDOT actively seeks new recipients for structures that have been moved from their original sites, and this project is an excellent example of the success of the program.

Severe damage from neglect and use resulted in fewer members being salvaged than initially expected. The damage incurred over the years from vehicular collisions, deterioration from exposure to the elements, and the improper removal of one of the trusses led to the fabrication of new members. Although the new members are steel, rather than wrought iron, they are visually indistinguishable from the historic members. Also, great care was undertaken to match the metallurgical composition and visual appearance of the members as closely as possible; to replace lost or unusable pieces in kind; and to find a creative solution in using the threaded rivets. Finally, while the pedestrian railing is a prominent new feature, it is perceived as "clearly new," and was added only to meet applicable code requirements.

While there are cases where it is technically and economically feasible to save significant historic bridges in place upgrading them for regular vehicular traffic, still others can be saved only through their relocation and use for pedestrian or bicycle traffic, or limited vehicular access (see figure 11).

Figure 11. Valley Falls Heritage Park as it is viewed today. The park is part of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, and is a welcome addition to downtown Cumberland, Rhode Island. Photo: Joseph P. Saldibar, III.

The Stillwater Road Bridge rehabilitation project saved a significant historic bridge from certain demolition. The reduced wear and tear on the bridge (pedestrian traffic as opposed to automobiles) and regularly scheduled maintenance supervised by the municipal employees of the town of Cumberland, will allow it to be carefully monitored to prevent further deterioration. Finally, the public is made aware of the bridge's engineering and historical significance through signage and ongoing interpretation of the area.