The process of construction the river dikes was conceptually simplistic. However, it required the acquisition of land and damaged other properties. The City and State were responsible for acquiring all the necessary properties, freeing the United States from claims for damages during construction work or maintenance and operations. Total damage for the east dike and land wall were approximately $370,000, while the west dike lands cost $440,000. The City purchased land and payed reparation fees to the following - General Dyestuff Realty, Viaduct Realty Company, Union Smelting and Refining Works, and Narrangesett Electric Company.
The process of construction was a slow one. Some blamed it on the inexperience of the primary contractor, Gammino Construction. Others placed the blame on strikes that had broken out during the five years of construction. For example, from September 3, 1963 to December 16, 1963, employees of the Tower Iron Works, the company responsible for the final tainter gate, in Seekonk went on strike.
The total cost of the project was $16 million (1960 dollars). $4.8 million of the project cost, or thirty percent of the cost, was financed by the City of Providence and the State of Rhode Island. Of this amount, the State supplied ten percent and the City covered the remaining twenty percent. The Federal government supplied the remaining $11.2 million.
The ceremonies to dedicate the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier were held on March 19, 1966. The Dedication Committee was composed of Franklin S. Eggleston, Manager of the Civic Department, Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, Robert W. Kenyon, Chamber President, Lawrence P. McGarry, Director of the Providence Department of Public Works, Walter G. Weitzel of the Narragansett Electric Company, F. Morris Cochran, Vice President of Brown University, Russell C. Edwards of the Chamber, Charles F. Sullivan, Corps of Engineers, Elwood A. Palmer, Executive vice President of the Chamber, who with Mr. McGarry was co-chairman of the Dedication Committee. Present at the dedication ceremonies were John O. Pastore and Claiborne Pell, Rhode Island's United States Senators, Congressmen John E. Fogarty, Fernand J. St. Germain, Rhode Island Governor John H. Chafee, and Providence Mayor Joseph A. Doorley, Jr. Following the National Hathem, Introductions were given by John E.C. Hall, Invocation was held by Reverend John Seville higgens. The Master of Ceremonies was Congressmen Fogarty. Speakers were Robert W. Kenyon, Governor Chafee, Congressman St. Germain, Senator Pell, Colonel Renier, and an
