Stone Bridge (Rhode Island)

The Stone Bridge was a bascule bridge that carried Rhode Island Route 138 over the Sakonnet River between Portsmouth and Tiverton. The span was built in 1907, replacing an earlier wooden bridge. It was severely damaged by Hurricane Carol in 1954, and replaced in 1956 by the Sakonnet River Bridge.

Stone Bridge
Stone Bridge
Coordinates41.62573°N 71.21716°W / 41.62573; -71.21716
Carries Route 138
CrossesSakonnet River
LocalePortsmouth and Tiverton, Rhode Island
Characteristics
Designsteel
History
Opened1795, 1810, 1907
Closed1956
Location

History
A streetcar crossing the bridge prior to 1907

A ferry between Portsmouth and Tiverton – probably the first regular ferry in Rhode Island – began operating in 1640. It was variously known as Howland's Ferry (after the family that ran it from around 1703 to 1776), Pocasset Ferry, Sanford's Ferry and Wanton's Ferry.[1] A privately-owned wooden toll bridge was built in 1795. After it was destroyed several times by storms, a stone causeway with a wooden draw span was built in 1810. The towns of Tiverton and Portsmouth purchased the bridge in 1871 and conveyed it to the state.[2]

The Newport Street Railway opened in 1898 between Newport and Fall River, Massachusetts. The heavy streetcars necessitated replacement of the wooden draw span. A double-leaf steel rolling lift bridge opened in 1907.[2]

The bridge was severely damaged by Hurricane Carol in 1954, and replaced in 1956 by the Sakonnet River Bridge, which was under construction at the time of the hurricane, located 0.8 miles (1.3 km) to the north. The span was closed to marine traffic after the hurricane.[3] After inspection, it was decided to close the bridge to bus and truck traffic on January 13, 1955.[4] It was then closed to all vehicles on January 18, 1955.[4] Pedestrians were allowed to walk across.[5] Repairs were made and the bridge reopened to all traffic on March 3, 1955.[6] It remained in service until the opening of the Sakonnet River Bridge in 1956.

The remaining approaches serve as breakwaters and fishing piers.[2]

References
  1. Rhode Island: A Guide to the Smallest State, Federal Writers' Project (US History Publishers, 1977) pg. 416
  2. "Stone Bridge Reimagined" (PDF). The Roger Williams University Community Partnerships Center. Summer 2014.
  3. "Bus and Truck Traffic Is Barred From Stone Bridge, Tiverton". Fall River Herald News. Fall River, Massachusetts: Edward J. Delaney. January 13, 1955. p. 1.
  4. "Stone Bridge To Close Tuesday; Repairs Are Ordered". Fall River Herald News. Fall River, Massachusetts: Edward J. Delaney. January 14, 1955. p. 1.
  5. "Tiverton Request Would Cut Walking Distance on Span". Fall River Herald News. Fall River, Massachusetts: Edward J. Delaney. January 20, 1955. p. 1.
  6. "Trucks Crossing Stone Bridge". Fall River Herald News. Fall River, Massachusetts: Edward J. Delaney. March 4, 1955. p. 1.

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