Residents ask North Providence to press DOT for pedestrian bridge plan at Greystone crossing

Resident Kyle Fernandez told the council that families and cyclists lack a safe, walkable crossing where the Greystone bridge was closed for safety reasons and asked the town to push the Rhode Island Department of Transportation for a clear plan and cost estimate.

"I'm asking the council to take two specific actions: first, to send a formal letter to RIDOT requesting a written response with their current plan for this crossing, a cost estimate for a pedestrian and bicycle‑only bridge and a timeline; and second, to ask RIDOT to attend a public meeting in North Providence or provide a written statement for the record," Fernandez said.

Council members said communication from the state has been poor. One member noted a previous two‑way vehicle bridge estimate of about $24 million and said the town has not received adequate justification for that figure. The council voted unanimously to send a formal letter to the Department of Transportation asking for the current plan, a pedestrian‑bridge cost estimate and a timeline and to request RIDOT participation in a public forum or a written statement for the record.

Why it matters: The Greystone crossing connects neighborhoods to parkland and residents argued a lower‑cost pedestrian/bicycle crossing could restore safe access for families and reduce community isolation while avoiding the expense of a full vehicular structure.

What’s next: The council will draft and send a formal request to RIDOT and report back to residents when the state responds.