[CREDIT: Mayor Frank Picozzi] Two water main breaks on Centerville Road (Rte. 117) closed traffic for the day Aug. 24. The first, pictured here, was at the intersection of Commonwealth Avenue.

[CREDIT: Mayor Frank Picozzi] Two water main breaks on Centerville Road (Rte. 117) closed traffic for the day Aug. 24. The second, pictured here, was about 150 yards away from the first break at the intersection of Commonwealth Avenue.

WARWICK, RI — A speedy Centerville Road repair (Rt 117) reopened traffic sooner than estimated last night at 8:38 p.m. following what Mayor Frank Picozzi termed a “Herculean effort” throughout the day Thursday.

“Centerville Rd (Rt 117) is now open. Future construction work may be needed. Make sure to follow us for further updates,” Warwick Police informed followers on their Facebook page last night at 8:38 p.m.

Earlier that day, at about 9:30 a.m., Warwick Police alerted people about the water main break near 501 Centerville Road, closing the westbound lanes to all traffic. The Rte. 95 exits north and south onto Rte. 117/Centerville Road were also closed as repair crews worked to restore the road.

At about 1:26 p.m., Picozzi visited the site and updated people on his own Facebook account, adding photos.

“There seems to be at least two breaks. One is at the intersection of Commonwealth (first picture) and another about 150 yards away. It was explained to me that the theory is that the first break created some type of reaction which caused another break further down the line.

Kent County Water Authority has called in construction companies to begin the work of repairing the line. Then RIDOT will repair the road.

There is a lot of damage and repairs will be a very lengthy process. I don’t expect the road to be open any time soon. The RIDOT official said that he can’t say for sure at this time but it may take up to several days.

Fortunately, that worst-case scenario for the Centerville Road repair did not pan out. Picozzi updated followers at 4 p.m.

“The news has improved. Kent County Water Authority has almost finished repairing the two broken pipes. They said that water should be restored in an hour or two if there are no complications. RIDOT officials said they are hopeful that repairs to the road can be completed in the overnight hours and there’s a good chance that the road will be open in the morning,” Picozzi wrote.

At 8:24 p.m., work was wrapping up still earlier than expected, and the road was opening.

I want to thank the RIDOT, the Kent County Water Authority, and the private contractors and workers for accomplishing this Herculean effort,” Picozzi wrote, “And a big tip of the hat to the Warwick Police Department for providing the details and strategy to keep traffic flowing throughout the day.”

[CREDIT: Mayor Frank Picozzi] Two water main breaks on Centerville Road (Rte. 117) closed traffic for the day Aug. 24. Above, repair crews work on what turned out to be a far speedier fix than expected. — [CREDIT: Mayor Frank Picozzi] Two water main breaks on Centerville Road (Rte. 117) closed traffic for the day Aug. 24. Above, repair crews work on what turned out to be a far speedier Centerville Road repair than expected.

Author: Rob Borkowski

Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at editor@warwickpost.com with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.

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