Rhode Island

Delivering Innovative Transportation Solutions Across Rhode Island VN Engineers, Inc. is proud to support the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) and regional agencies through a range of civil and transportation engineering services that improve infrastructure, enhance mobility, and support long-term planning across the state. As a certified women-owned civil engineering firm, we bring specialized expertise in transportation design, traffic engineering, roadway reconstruction, rail design, utility coordination, and construction support services. Our Rhode Island portfolio includes major initiatives such as the Route 6/10 Interchange Reconstruction in Providence, the Pawtucket Commuter Rail Station, and the Washington Bridge. Our team’s experience spans all phases of project development—from environmental assessments and stakeholder coordination to roadway design, traffic signal planning, and design support during construction. We are committed to providing sustainable, data-driven engineering solutions that meet the unique needs of Rhode Island’s urban and regional communities. Explore our Rhode Island projects to learn how VN Engineers is helping shape the state’s transportation future.

Phase 2 Bridge Group 57T-10, Washington Bridge Rehabilitation and Widening Design Build

Providence, RI

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) Design Build project for the Rehabilitation and widening of the I-195 Washington Bridge over the Seekonk River in Providence, RI.  The Washington Bridge is a 1975ft long 15 span bridge composed of a steel girder, prestressed girder, dapped dropped-in prestressed girder, and post-tensioned concrete girder spans.  The rehabilitation and widening efforts include widening the approach of the structure, joint elimination with link-slabs, superstructure and substructure concrete repair, and FRP repair of prestressed girders and piers.

VN Engineers’ is leading the FRP design for the repair and strengthening of the dapped dropped-in prestressed concrete girders.  The dapped prestressed girders are being analyzed utilizing a Strut-and-Tie analysis performed in STAAD, with the FRP strengthening design being performed in MathCAD.  The FRP strengthening is being performed increase the shear capacity of the dapped ends to support current design loads and permit vehicles.   VN additionally is load rating the FRP strengthened dapped prestressed concrete girders according to the Load and Resistance Factor Rating (LRFR) methodology for design, legal, and permit loads according to the AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation and RIDOT load rating guide.

VN Engineer’s is additionally providing Independent Technical Review of the bridge widening design, calculations, plans, and specification.  The widening of the bridge requires the attachment of steel diaphragms to prestressed concrete and post-tensioned concrete girders to support a new steel plate girder beam line.

 

 

Accelerated Bridge Construction, Bridge No. 653 Design-Build, I-95 over Oxford Street,

Providence Rhode Island

This project was a Design-Build contract with RIDOT for the replacement of Bridge No. 653 carrying nine lanes of I-95 over Oxford Street in Providence. The scope of work entailed the replacement of the bridge superstructure by using methods like pre-manufactured beam components that allowed the concrete deck/beam combination to be installed side-by-side to create a new bridge deck. The 56-year-old bridge was located in one of the busiest corridors in the state, carrying an average of 160,000 vehicles per day according to the RIDOT. With a high traffic volume, the maintenance and protection of traffic played a critical factor.

 

VN performed various overall design tasks. For illumination design, VN maintained existing illumination, conduit layout and coordinating luminaire structure locations with structural plans. Traffic design was also provided including the temporary Maintenance and Protection of Traffic during construction including temporary and permanent pavement markings, signing, barrier placement & traffic control devices. Support for the development of the Traffic Management Plan (TMP). Highway design was included, which entailed the final roadway plan for I-95 and Oxford Street. And public outreach support services were provided as required.

RIDOT: Bridge Group 18C R-Frenchtown

This project includes the complete replacement of two bridges and a superstructure replacement for one bridge. Bridge No. 076301 Frenchtown Road West carries Frenchtown Road over Route 4 and Bridge No. 076601 South County Trail that carries South County Trail (Route 2) over Route 4 are both complete replacements in East Greenwich.  Bridge No. 036901 Davisville RR Bridge that carries Devil’s Foot Road over Amtrak is a superstructure replacement in North Kingstown.  Additionally, on-ramps and off-ramps at Route 2, Route 4, Frenchtown Road, and Route 4 intersections will be milled and overlayed with new pavement.

RIDOT – Reconstruction of Bridge Group 95: Route 4/I-95 Interchange and Route 403 Ramps

The goal of this project is to complete the “missing moves” at the interchange of I-95 and Route 4 and improve access to the Quonset Business Park. Key elements include building two ramps to connect I-95 North and Route 4 South, and Route 4 North and I-95 South, which were not part of the original Route 4 construction. Additionally, three ramps on Route 403 in North Kingstown will connect to the Quonset Business Park’s West Davisville district, along with a new roundabout south of Route 403 at Compass Circle. The “missing moves” are anticipated to be finished by the summer of 2027, with the Route 403 portion expected by Summer 2026. 

OTHER ONGOING PROJECTS:

  • RIBTA Agreement No. 23-14 Clairborne Pell Bridge Rehab 
  • WSP RI Bridge Group 97 Design Build
  • RIDOT Bridge Group 41-95 
  • RIDOT Bridge Group 02 – Foster Bridge