HA! I was wondering exactly the same thing.

I drive through that shower ten times a day, never thought to question it's source. I'll do a thorough investigation tommorrow, keep you posted!

Would that be the exact location in the turn where you get soaked in water, can't see the road, and nearly careen into the car to your left because he turned and you didn't?

Yeah. Good times.

I can't tell you the exact physics behind it, but I know it has to do with the curing of the concrete on the road surface above you- the surface has to be kept wet for a certain length of time, I think. It's been done on all the other spans of the highway- it "rained" on Allens Ave for weeks during that phase of construction.

Nothing to worry about in terms of something wrong with the construction. Just use caution going through it.

I drive under it everyday. Since the waterfall usually seems to be the heaviest in just one lane, I've learned to avoid it. Also, keep your windows up. :)

They probably haven't completely installed the drainage system for it yet, so any rain water which accumulates just tends to flow naturally to the easiest exit point.

I presume it's like everything else highway related in Rhode Island; pretend it's not a problem. It won't be a big deal until someone gets hurt or killed. What are they going to do, sue us? We don't have any more money!

EMT brings up a very good point (which I should have remembered since nearly everyone in my family works with the stuff). The production and application of concrete produces heat. Water (hydration) is used during the curing process. It chemically reacts with the concrete, so it becomes harder over time as it sets.

Yea! We're not all going to die after all! :)

Sounds like the mystery has been solved. I'm going to try and find out why they don't divert the overflow somewhere else.

Right. Also, Michael, maybe you can ask if our vehicles are, therefore, getting a light concrete rinse every time we pass under it.

Thanx for the explanations. I'm glad to hear this is probably part of doing construction with concrete, and not part of the regular drainage scheme.

Oh, also a minor correction -- I learned, as the result of making this post, that the proper lyric from the Who song is "Rain o're me", not "Rain on Me".

Folks up there are pretty tight lipped about the situation, either that or they were just pissed I had the temerity to go on their job site and ask questions.

... THAT'S what you did to find out, Michael??

Well, then. Sometimes no answer is an answer.

Did you mention that you were asking on behalf of a bunch of whiny bloggers? That might have helped get you the "street cred" you needed to get a straight answer.