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Heated public comments as residents oppose Greystone Bridge replacement; council notes issue is now state-level
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Summary
Residents, led by Hector Bendixor, urged the council not to rebuild the Greystone Bridge after demolition of the old span, alleging inspections were unnecessary and raising federal‑funding misuse concerns. Council members said bridge ownership has transferred to the state and advised residents to take the matter to state and federal representatives.
An extended public‑comment segment at the Dec. 3 North Providence Town Council meeting centered on the Greystone (Graystone) Bridge. Hector Bendixor and several nearby residents urged the council not to approve rebuilding a bridge at the prior location after the old span's demolition. Bendixor presented a petition signed by neighborhood residents and disputed published vehicle‑count figures and inspection findings used to justify replacement.
Bendixor alleged that false statements to obtain federal funding could amount to misuse of federal funds; he offered photographs and asserted the site had few vehicles. Other residents and councilors disputed some of his claims or noted different constituent views. Council members repeatedly told the speaker that bridge ownership and major funding decisions are controlled at the state level: the council said the bridge has been transferred to Rhode Island Department of Transportation (DOT) jurisdiction and that state or federal representatives would need to be involved in any replacement decision or funding allocation.
The council recorded a motion noting Bendixor’s opposition and the petition from 29 residents for the record. Councilors also noted that while they heard strong neighborhood sentiment, the project and funding oversight lie with state authorities and advised residents to pursue the matter through the DOT and state legislators.
Next steps: the council placed the residents' opposition on the record and encouraged coordination with state-level officials; no local appropriation or bond vote was taken by the council at this meeting.
