Central Falls, RI
In the spring of 2021, the City of Central Falls, RI hired Loureiro Construction, Inc. (LCI) to extend a bikeway that ran along the Blackstone River, while removing an existing section that ran through city streets, forcing riders onto dangerous roads. While typically a simple and standard delivery for Loureiro team, tropical storms made it far from a smooth ride.
The Loureiro team began construction on the additional 1,600 sq. ft. of bikeway, which involved a retaining way and concrete headwall. Since some of the excavated materials were contaminated, we replaced them with clean topsoil, while installing a turbidity curtain in the water to catch all construction debris and sediments before infiltrating the river.
When the hurricanes hit in September, major flooding as a result of the bikeway’s close proximity along the river put the project on hold for two months. LCI worked closely with the City of Central Falls in order to navigate the circumstances and secure the job site during the holding period. This meant maintaining open communication and managing expectations, while keeping a careful eye on changing weather conditions.
When the flooding subsided, LCI expedited the work and expanded their availability to finish the project in a short window before the winter season. And with an already tight budget from the Department of Environmental Management (DEM), even more adjustments had to be made along the way as a result of the costly delays and multiple change orders. LCI communicated openly with the city, offering their insight as to what aesthetic costs could be spared to help them maximize their budget. Through quality construction and expert value engineering, LCI delivered a beautiful project that the city and its inhabitants will enjoy for years to come.
