By DONNA KENNY KIRWAN

PAWTUCKET — Curious about how the new I-95 bridge is going to look? Tonight, the public is invited  to a  presentation of the design for Bridge 550 that will be held at the Blackstone Valley Visitors Center from 6 to 8 p.m.

Richard Kazarian, chairman of the Mayor's Task Force that was formed to provide design recommendations for the project, will present the Task Force's resulting collaboration with the RIDOT project team. Planning Director Michael Cassidy will also be on hand to address any technical planning of implementation concerns the public may have in regard to the project. Mayor James E. Doyle is also expected to attend the presentation.
The John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission provided grant funding under a cooperative agreement with the Pawtucket Foundation to facilitate the review of the design and replacement bridge project. Under this agreement, the Pawtucket Foundation contracted Gates, Leighton & Associates to provide technical design recommendations and considerations for the project, many of which were incorporated by Richard Kazarian and the Task Force design committee.
The project will replace two deteriorating spans on I-95 at the School Street and George Street exits. Rhode Island Department of Transportation officials have said that the $100 million project is expected to be advertised to potential bidders this July, with construction to begin approximately a year from now.
Since November of 2007, the RIDOT has imposed a weight limit, which is currently set at 18 tons. Last August, an additional ban was placed on vehicles with more than two axles. Truck drivers are urged to seek alternate routes or face fines of up to $3,000.