Design of a new Pawtucket River Bridge for I-95

A task force appointed by Pawtucket Mayor James E. Doyle spent a year working on a design for a new I-95 bridge over the Pawtucket River. Richard Kazirian, an art historian and Pawtucket businessman, who is chairman of a committee in charge of Pawtucket waterfront development, also chaired the volunteer bridge task force. Kazarian worked with RIDOT Chief Engineer Kazem Farhoumand as well as four sets of consultants: Commonwealth Engineers Inc., Newport Collaborative Architects, Gaskell Associates and Abernathy Lighting Design Inc. RIDOT paid for the design work.

The $100 million needed to build the bridge will come from the Federal Highway Administration (80 percent), with 20 percent match coming from RIDOT. The construction of the new bridge will be completed with regular program funds, not federal stimulus funds.

Inspiration for the bridge design came from other structures in Pawtucket built during the Great Depression, such as City Hall, McCoy Stadium and Shea High School. Each shows elements of the period's Arts Deco style. The new bridge's four pillars will feature representations of Art Deco wings on the eagles chiseled atop the tower at City Hall.

Seen from the river, the bridge, made of metalized steel and illuminated at night with colored LED (light-emitting diode) lighting, will display a graceful silvery arch over the water. Subcommittees of the task force are continuing work on landscaping, signage and local art, such as sculptures, to complement the span.