Kenyon-Shannock Railroad Bridge #149
Replacement
 In May, 2002, the New England Chapter of the American Concrete Institute and the New England Ready Mixed Concrete Associations presented PRM Concrete and other members of the construction project with a Special Recognition award for the Kenyon-Shannock Railroad Bridge #149 replacement project.
The replacement of the Kenyon-Shannock Railroad Bridge #149, in the Town of Charlestown, Rhode Island, was a unique undertaking by the State of Rhode Island. It was a very sensitive project with regard to its impact on the Shannock National Register Historic District. In accordance with federal regulations, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission consulted on this project for a number of years so that potential effects to historic features were properly identified and addressed.
Shannock is notable in Rhode Island as a well preserved, small, nineteenth and early twentieth century mill village which retains in large measure the structures and other manmade features of its period of ascendancy. It is locally significant for its more than two-century long history of milling and manufacturing activity. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation, the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission, and Universal Construction Co., the general contractor, worked hand-in hand to guarantee that this project would complement the unique character of this hamlet.
 The Kenyon-Shannock Railroad Bridge had to be replaced for two major reasons:
- The deteriorating condition of the bridge
- The electrification of the northeast Amtrak corridor.
The existing bridge was composed of timber beam and deck plank superstructure. The substructure had cut stone abutments and two wooden piers which were adjacent to the Amtrak main lines. This bridge was closed on January 11, 1999.
Click here to continue the story.
|
