Dedicating a New Bikeway in Providence

On September 21st, representatives from BETA Group, Inc. attended the dedication ceremony for the George Redman Linear Park on the Washington Bridge. The ceremony, attended by several state dignitaries, took place on the restored structure of the original 1930 segment of the bridge. The linear park provides a major bikeway link connecting the East Bay Bike Path across the Seekonk River to downtown Providence via India Point Park.

At the ceremony, Governor Gina Raimondo touted the project as a critical link between East Bay and downtown Providence.

“We’re going to keep our infrastructure first rate,” the Governor stated. “21st century transportation systems support the economy, the environment, and public health.”

BETA provided landscape architectural services on the design team that included Ventrone Architecture LLC and Vanasse Hangen Brustlin. BETA designed the pedestrian walkway adjacent to the bike path and the central plaza including pavement finishes, site furnishings (bollards, bike racks, and benches) and the layout of the interpretive panels. Most challenging was the orchestration of the repurposing of the granite elements for the planters, bastion seats, memorial pedestal and sign pylons. Bicyclists can now enjoy the view and travel along the bridge without being disturbed by the adjacent highway traffic.

Mayor Jorge Elorza, an avid cyclist, congratulated the team who helped develop and install the project.

“I can’t think of a better way to get around our city than on a bicycle,” he said. “I’d like to congratulate our friends at the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and other partners for making cycling safer and more accessible for Providence and the rest of the state.”

In addition to creating a safe space for cyclists to commute and enjoy recreationally, the structurally deficient Warren Avenue Ramp Bridge was replaced. This work was completed in 2013, removing the bridge from the structurally deficient list.