JOHNSTON, R.I. (WPRI) — The future of the Greystone Bridge, which connects North Providence and Johnston, is now up in the air.

The bridge has been closed to traffic for four years now. Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr. told 12 News the small bridge is set to be demolished despite his request to rebuild it and open it back up.

"To get the bridge rebuilt is the ultimate goal we have, and for some reason, it's not happening," he said.

Chris Gosetti, a Johnston resident, is leading the charge to fix the bridge. He said rebuilding the bridge was listed under former Gov. Gina Raimondo's 10-year plan and $2 million was set aside for it.

"Some time after that the rug got pulled out from us and we found out the bridge was not going to be rebuilt after all," Gosetti said. "The reason was that this bridge was not needed as a cut through."

The Greystone Bridge used to carry traffic over the Woonasquatucket River, but the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) closed it in July 2020 after dozens of overweight trucks crossed the bridge and made it structurally deficient.

RIDOT told 12 News it met with both North Providence and Johnston leaders years ago and agreed to build a pedestrian and bike path in the bridge's place.

But Polisena told 12 News that's not good enough and, after recent conversations with RIDOT, the future of the bridge is clear.

"They are adamant that they are going to demolish the bridge," he said.

Gosetti and other residents are pushing back against RIDOT's plan, arguing that the bridge is a main path to Route 44.

"The traffic is horrendous on Route 44," Gosetti said. "It affects everybody. You wont get out of line to go to a business because you'll lose your spot and it could take you 25 minutes to get back in line."

RIDOT said Director Peter Alviti is willing to meet with Polisena and North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi again to discuss other options.

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now