195 “Golden” “Wrecking Ball” Ceremony

Photo submitted by Greater City: Providence reader, Lewis Dana.

As you can see, that is neither a wrecking ball, nor is it really all that golden.

Photo submitted by Greater City: Providence reader, Lewis Dana.

The “ball” swings at a Jersey barrier.

Photo submitted by Greater City: Providence reader, Lewis Dana.

The Governor is pretty damned excited.

Here’s a video from RIDOT:

Are you kidding me with this? Exactly how much did this lame-duck publicity stunt cost? You know that “wrecking ball” is not part of the demolition right?

Also, it is my understanding that no substantial demolition of the remaining portions of the highway actually start until next spring. RIDOT Director Michael Lewis said as much during the Pedestrian Bridge Press Conference in September.

It is not like they dynamited the damn thing last night, it is still there, unchanged. In fact there was a guy marking underground utilities on Chestnut Street this morning. Also, an engineering firm is in the process of assessing the condition of adjacent properties in advance of the demolition. Nothing has changed since the Governor’s goofy bouncing of a “golden” ball off of a jersey barrier yesterday.