Greater City Providence

India Point Park Bridge Tunnel Photos

A collection of photos I took the other day on India Street in the tunnel under the India Point Park Bridge:

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Photos by Jef Nickerson

Jef Nickerson

Jef is Greater City Providence's co-founder, editor, and publisher. He grew up on Cape Cod and lived in Boston; Portland, Maine; and New York before settling in Providence. In addition to urbanism, Jef is interested in art, design, and ice cream. Please feel free to contact Jef if you have any question or comments about Greater City Providence.

9 comments

  • What’s the longevity of unshielded concrete structures in a climate with rapid freeze-thaw cycles, and abutting salt-water environments? I have a sick feeling that we’ll be rebuilding this in 30 years.

  • When I was down taking these pictures, some people were painting something on the stairs (well, the walls along the stairs). It looked clear and I thought maybe an anti-graffiti coating of some sort. I didn’t bother to ask.

    Last night I walked through on the way to the Regatta at CBC and the wall was painted pink! It looked weird, and I don’t understand why someone would do that. Maybe it is a primer of some sort, but I’m not understanding why they would paint that. Me confused.

  • If the concrete mix was good, more protected areas could last 40 years or more. Highway designers usually consider stone lamination a luxury. On the Hutchinson River Parkway in New York, the bridges were stone laminated poured concrete and the majority of which are in great shape today since their construction in the 30s. Another good example is Route 95 Exit 1 in Hopkinton built in the early 50s. A 50 to 70 year life might justify the added costs. With all the controversy about the lack of concrete testing, I-way may not fare so well.

    Has there been any indication on what will happen with all the granite blocks that comprise the retaining walls of the old highway?

  • There was some talk of using parts of the old highway in building the new parks on either side of the river. I can’t remember specific mention of the granite off the top of my head, but some use of crushed concrete in pathways etc.

  • IPP is on one of my more frequent bike routes, so I’ve been all under those structures. One of your photos almost gets to the angle of lining up the pillars so they make a solid wall. From that perspective, this would be a great place for a piece of art that ‘works’ for a brief moment as you pass by it.

    Does that make any sense? Am I clear in what I’m on about?

    In any event, plain concrete = fugly. Overall, an entirely inelegant structure.

  • What’s the longevity of unshielded concrete structures in a climate with rapid freeze-thaw cycles, and abutting salt-water environments? I have a sick feeling that we’ll be rebuilding this in 30 years.

    I have a sick feeling the waves will be lapping right onto it in 30 years and people will be wondering what were they thinking.

  • Jef, I hope you know by now that the pink paint was the base for a mural painted as part of a summer youth employment program. Courtesy of the city and the stimulus program. It is an odd color, I agree.

  • Really? Having not seen the mural yet, I won’t pass judgement, but… really? What a weird place for a mural.

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