COMPLETED - a NEW Old Post Road!

NOTE to new readers - this article was published in 2011. This project, thanks to the efforts of Rep. Donna Walsh to push the state to get it done, was completed some months ago.

At the Town Council meeting last night both Rep. Donna Walsh and Charlestown Director of Public Works Alan Arsenault spoke about the reconstruction of Old Post Road.

It's overdue but it starts now!

The plans have been drawn up and surveying work has begun. Soon we will see dirt flying and the roadway and drainage being improved. The project is expected to be done by mid-November.

Some will wonder about the timing of this, at the peak of tourist season, but I'll just be glad to have more road than potholes between Town Dock Road and Cumbie's.

The map on the right shows the reconstruction plans from near the Charlestown Package Store to the eastern town line. Click on the image to enlarge but be warned that it is upside down - south to toward the top of the drawing. (I will pass up the obvious opportunity to comment about RI DOT.)

The areas in orange will be sealed and have 2 inches of asphalt added to make a new surface. Areas in blue/green are where the current roadway is "too far gone" and it will be ripped and rebuilt from the gravel base. That applies to the area between Town Dock Road and Matunuck Schoolhouse Road and much of the northbound lane elsewhere. When you drive the road today you can see that the northbound lane is in worse shape.

Don't curse at the workers holding up traffic; instead cheer them on for working on this needed project and to encourage them to finish early.

Author: Tom Ferrio