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News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: September 8, 2004
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN ON BLACKSTONE RIVER STATE PARK ENTRANCE

PROVIDENCE -- The Department of Environmental Management has announced that construction of the new Blackstone River State Park Entrance on Route 295 in Lincoln will begin this month.

The new state park entrance will be a major gateway to the Blackstone River Bikeway, which is managed by DEM, and the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. Located on the northbound side of the highway, the park entrance will feature a 9,700 square foot visitor center that will include many tourist, park and bikeway amenities, in addition to a private food concession offering Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins Ice Cream. The project is a cooperative effort between DEM, the Department of Transportation, and the Federal Highway Administration, and will be completed in 2005.

"This new state park entrance will provide easy access to the Blackstone Bikeway by offering people a convenient location where they can park their vehicles, unload their bikes, and buy refreshments," said DEM Acting Director Frederick Vincent. "Also, the new Blackstone River State Park Entrance will also provide access to several focal spots in the Blackstone Valley, such as the Wilbur Kelly House Museum, the Blackstone Canal, and the Blackstone River."

The project involves the demolition of all existing buildings at the former park entrance on the northbound side of the highway, as well as most of the existing parking and access ramp areas. A new half-mile bikeway connection will lead from the park entrance to the Blackstone River Bikeway. Restrooms, visitor information, and other amenities, including the food concession and a Rhode Island State Police satellite office, will be available on a 24-hour a day basis. A contract for the project was awarded this month to Armand Luci & Son Construction, of Greenville, for the $3.987 million project.

Preliminary design for the construction of a new park entrance and visitor center on the southbound side of Route 295 has just begun.

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