Bike-to-Brown and a RIDOT new post are reporting that the Washington Bridge Pedestrian/Bicycle Way is finally open again. After closing in October 2007, it’s certainly been closed for long enough! RIDOT is stating that
The path will eventually be closed again when the Department is ready to begin construction on a project to convert the remaining portion of the old bridge into a wider bikeway and linear park.
But I think it’s well within the cycling community rights to demand better. They’ve shut down the Washington Bridge, seriously deminished the ease and safety of using the Henderson Bridge, and made riding over the Division Street Bridge a task only to be attempted by experienced cyclists. If the roadwork required to complete the Washington Bridge Linear Park were being completed for automobiles, they wouldn’t completely shut down the bridge and I think it’s only right they treat cyclists the same. The PBC will do what we can to encourage RIDOT to do the right thing, can we count on your support?