“For generations Rhode Islanders have dreamed of a bridge spanning the East Passage of Narragansett Bay…” – Governor Frank Licht, June 28, 1969
The Claiborne Pell Bridge, more commonly known as simply "The Newport Bridge,” has graced the skyline of Narragansett Bay for 50 years. Now, to celebrate the span's golden anniversary, Rhode Island PBS premieres its 90-minute special, The Newport Bridge: A Rhode Island Icon Wednesday, December 4, at 7 p.m.
At the time of its opening in 1969, the bridge was celebrated as a major commercial breakthrough and a marvel of human engineering. But decades of social and political conflict nearly prevented the span from ever becoming a reality.
The project’s planning began in 1934, but World War II derailed efforts to begin construction. In April of 1948, the state began serious efforts to construct a bridge over the East Passage of Narragansett Bay by creating Newport-Jamestown Civic Commission to explore options to finance and build a bridge. Still, it wasn't until 18 years later, on April 5, 1966, that construction of the approach piers began; work on the tower piers and anchorages began one month later.
The $57 million Newport Bridge saw 15,000 cars cross its span on opening day, June 28, 1969. Ultimately, the completion of the long-awaited crossing would serve as a testament to the indomitable will of those who advocated for the bridge, and as a lasting tribute to those whose labors erected one of New England’s most iconic structures. It won awards for excellence in engineering design from the New York Association of Consulting Engineers, the Consulting Engineers Council, the American Iron and Steel Institute, and the American Society of Civil Engineers. Owned, operated, and maintained by Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA), the Newport Bridge remains the longest suspension bridge in New England.
The documentary, a Rhode Island PBS Original, includes never-before-seen footage of the original construction and shares the untold stories of the engineers, iron workers, divers, and political and community patrons who brought the project to fruition. The film also features breathtaking aerial views from a helicopter and - remarkably - from the top of the towers. The Rhode Island PBS film crew scaled the cable with the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) maintenance crew, to the top of the tower to capture for viewers the rarely experienced perspective from the tower's height 400 feet above the water. The film also visits the re-dedication ceremonies held in July 2019.
WSBE Rhode Island PBS transmits high-definition (HD) content over the air on digital 36.1; on Rhode Island cable channels Cox 08 / 1008HD, Verizon FiOS 08 / 508HD, and Full Channel 08; on MA cable channels Comcast 819HD and Verizon FiOS 18 / 518HD; on satellite providers DirecTV 36, Dish Network 36.
The Newport Bridge: A Rhode Island Icon was funded in part by
