Mount Hope Bridge needs repairs less than a month after resurfacing

BRISTOL, R.I. — Less than a month after the Mount Hope Bridge resurfacing project wrapped up with crews finishing more than 33 hours ahead of schedule, repairs were already needed.

Officials said the new surface is expected to last about five years, offering some relief to commuters traveling over one of Rhode Island’s most iconic landmarks. During the closure, workers removed the aging road surface and applied an ultra-thin bonded overlay designed to provide a smoother ride.

The resurfacing is part of a larger plan to eventually redeck the bridge, a major capital project that hasn’t been done since 1985. While officials insist the bridge remains safe, they have declined to release the most recent inspection report, raising concerns among residents and commuters who depend on the span every day.

The Mount Hope Bridge, which opened in 1929, is set to receive a $17 million federal grant to preserve the structure. The funding, awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s PROTECT program, will support a dehumidification system aimed at preventing corrosion in the bridge’s steel cables and anchorages.

The goal is to significantly extend the lifespan of the bridge, part of a broader push to make Rhode Island’s infrastructure more resilient and climate-adapted. Officials say the work could help keep the bridge in service for another 50 to 75 years.

Mount Hope Bridge needs repairs.