Hazardous Timbers to Be Removed from Providence River

CRMC, TNC, and Providence to dismantle old Point Street Bridge pilings with $2.3M NOAA grant

Jan. 30, 2026 at 3:07pm

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The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, The Nature Conservancy, and the city of Providence are planning to remove 300 derelict and contaminated creosote timbers and pilings from the Providence River this fall. The project, funded by a $2.3 million NOAA marine debris grant, will focus on dismantling the old swing system of the Point Street Bridge, which has been obsolete since the 1960s.

Why it matters

The deteriorating timbers pose navigation hazards, threaten the nearby hurricane barrier, and are a source of water pollution. Removing them will improve the river's ecosystem and recreational use, building on previous dredging efforts in the area.

The details

The partners will work with the Providence Parks Department and Downtown Providence Park Network to carry out the project and engage in public education. The 300 pilings and associated decking to be removed are part of the structure that lifted and turned the Point Street Bridge from 1927 to 1959, before the Fox Point hurricane barrier rendered the bridge's swing feature obsolete.

  • The project is planned for this fall.
  • The Point Street Bridge's swing system was in use from 1927 to 1959.

The players

Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council

A state agency that manages and protects Rhode Island's coastal resources.

The Nature Conservancy

A global environmental nonprofit organization that works to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people.

City of Providence

The local government of Providence, Rhode Island.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

A scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce that focuses on the conditions of the oceans, major waterways, and the atmosphere.

Providence Parks Department

The department responsible for managing and maintaining the parks and public spaces in Providence.

Downtown Providence Park Network

A collaborative effort to enhance and promote the parks and public spaces in downtown Providence.

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What they’re saying

“Removing the contaminated timbers from the river will be a positive step for the ecosystem and for recreation, and we're excited to see continued, strong investments in our urban waters.”

— Scott Comings, Associate State Director, The Nature Conservancy in Rhode Island

What’s next

The project is scheduled to begin this fall, with the partners working to secure necessary permits and finalize the engineering and demolition contracts.

The takeaway

This project represents a significant investment in improving the health and safety of the Providence River, addressing long-standing environmental issues and paving the way for enhanced recreational use of the waterway. It demonstrates the power of collaboration between state, local, and federal agencies, as well as nonprofit organizations, to tackle complex urban environmental challenges.