The City of Woonsocket, responsible for maintaining a severely deteriorating structure, engaged Pare Corporation to perform a condition survey and alternative design study for the rehabilitation of the Court Street Bridge. Over a two-month period, an exhaustive inspection was conducted of more than 1,300 members and joints of this 520-foot-long, 25-foot-deep, 4-span steel truss bridge that crosses the Blackstone River and Truman Drive. The inspection revealed that road salt deposits on the main structural elements were contributing to the rapid deterioration of the superstructure and open-grid steel deck.
Pare completed a design study report to present feasible replacement and rehabilitation alternatives for the structure. The costs and benefits associated with each alternative were presented to the FHWA, RIDOT, and City of Woonsocket for consideration. A new superstructure with historic replicated railing and sidewalk lighting was the selected alternative. The existing trusses and floor beams were demolished. A new super-structure consisting of haunched steel plate girders is supported on the existing abutments and piers, which required modifications and repairs.