Causeway construction faces unexpected delay
The $8.2 million Padanaram Causeway Rehabilitation project is facing another delay. Select Board members announced that a few months of work could be added to the project due to an incomplete foundation.
Currently, the eastern edge of Apponagansett Park to the Padanaram Bridge and Smith Neck Road from Gulf Road southerly 550 feet are inaccessible to road traffic. Smith Neck Road was scheduled to be open by January 2017, but project leaders — through the Massachusetts Department of Transportation — have determined that there is no footing to stabilize the stone wall replacement, so that must be built as well.
"The whole side of the wall is collapsing. That's the issue," said Select Board Chair Stanley Mickelson.
Select Board members predicted that the setback could take a couple of months to fix.
It is currently unclear if and how the setback will affect the project budget.
The causeway has been permanently closed since August 1, and will not reopen until the project is done. The finish date was originally projected for June 2018.
The construction originally included rebuilding stone walls and railings, drainage improvements, and adding two small culverts, according to MassDOT.