Resident urges council to oppose Graystone Bridge replacement; council notes matter is at state level

Summary

A North Providence resident, Hector Bendixor, presented a petition and urged the council not to pursue a replacement bridge at the Greystone site, accusing officials of inflating traffic counts and alleging misuse of federal funds; councilors said the project is now under state jurisdiction and entered Bendixor's opposition into the record.

Hector Bendixor addressed the council during a long public comment period on Dec. 3, saying he and 29 residents who signed his petition oppose rebuilding the Graystone Bridge after the old structure's demolition. Bendixor disputed previously cited traffic counts and said the bridge was not unsafe before demolition. He accused others of "lying so they can get federal money," and urged the council to stop pursuing a new bridge.

Council members responded that the bridge project is outside the town's direct authority because it has been transferred to state control. Councilors acknowledged Bendixor's petition and a motion was made to place his opposition on the record. No council vote was taken to block or fund the project; councilors advised Bendixor to pursue state representatives and federal contacts for project decisions.

Next step: Bendixor's statement and petition were recorded in the council minutes; residents and councilors were reminded the Graystone Bridge project is subject to state review and funding processes.