The estimated date for re-opening Portsmouth's Escape Bridge is now late August, according to RIDOT's Chief of Information and Public Relations, Charles E. St. Martin III. In an e-mail exchange today, St. Martin blamed the slippage on unexpected decay in the structure, which serves as an evacuation route from the coastal area of Island Park.

"During work on this project, we encountered more deterioration that was difficult to ascertain before demolition," said St. Martin. "The additional concrete repairs are needed to ensure the successful repair of the bridge and to assure its longevity."

When asked why this delay had not been included in the most recent "community update" from RIDOT, St. Martin said only, "We will look into incorporating this type of information."

I had heard about this from a resident who spoke to RIDOT Director Michael Lewis by phone last Thursday. Pressed on why Lewis had privately communicated the date to a resident last week, St. Martin said, "Director Lewis was responding to a direct inquiry."

So here's the picture, fellow citizens of Portsmouth. If you can get Director Lewis to take your calls, you can find out what's going on. If not, you'll have to live with the less-than-useful information they've been handing out — and which I've been running — in their updates.

Does anybody else find this unacceptable?

How about their promise to try to accelerate the schedule. St. Martin said,"We will work with the contractor to accelerate the remaining work to see if it can be reopened prior to late August. We also will work with the community regarding any evacuations that might be needed due to tropical storms that might impact our area."

If you're worried, you might be comforted by St. Martin's observations about about our modern world. "Please keep in mind that weather forecasting is far more sophisticated now than it was in 1961 when the bridge was built, with much more advance notice given to coastal residents when storm surges are possible."

I guess Mr. St. Martin is unaware of how totally effed up Portsmouth's response was to the storm surge for Irene.

Full disclosure: I live in the evacuation zone of Island Park.

Yesterday, the RI Department of Transportation (RIDOT) issued another community update on the Escape Bridge work in Portsmouth, and for the period of March 5-16, the demolition of existing superstructure will continue, with "repairs to structural concrete masonry with patching mortar for piers, columns, pier caps and abutment beam sets."

Editorial note: Written from a press release.

According to a "community update" from RIDOT received today, demolition work on the Escape Bridge will begin on December 26, following completion of the netting under the bridge to catch debris. The first phase of the work, which they project to last through January 6, will include demo of the superstructure and removal and disposal of the sidewalk.

They keep calling it the "Cove Bridge," but we all know what they mean.

Editorial note: Written from a press release.

The RI Dept of Transportation (RIDOT) will close the Escape Bridge (what they insist on calling the "Cove Bridge" until the second graf) in Island Park tomorrow, Friday, Nov 4, because "a recent inspection revealed deterioration significant enough to prompt RIDOT to close the span," the agency said in a press release today.

RIDOT had already awarded a bridge rehabilitation project for the Cove Bridge, which called for the total closure of the bridge during its rehabilitation. After consulting with the community, RIDOT chose to keep the bridge open during hurricane season as Hummocks Point Road is one of two roads that serve as evacuation routes for the Island Park area. Additionally, RIDOT did not want to close the bridge until all materials had been fabricated in an effort to minimize the duration of the closure. However, RIDOT must close the bridge earlier in light of the findings of the recent inspection.

With the early closure of the bridge, RIDOT will work with the contractor to commence construction operations as soon as possible. Through a $2 million contract with Cardi Corporation, RIDOT will replace the superstructure of the 50-year-old bridge. The bridge is expected to remain closed until late Spring 2012.

“Public safety is always our top priority,” RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis said. “We regret any inconvenience this early closure may cause. We will work to keep the community well-informed as the project progresses.”

Motorists will be directed to follow a detour using Park Avenue, Anthony Road and Boyds Lane. A detour map will be posted on RIDOT’s website (www.dot.ri.gov).

Those with questions can contact RIDOT’s Customer Service office at 401-222-2450 weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional information will be available on RIDOT’s social media sites on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and Blogger.

Editorial note: Written from a press release, mostly.