RIDOT BRIDGE FAILURE: Eastbound Washington Bridge Split From 4 Lanes to 2 in Each Direction
Friday, December 15, 2023
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) on Friday opened two bypass lanes for I-195 West traffic from East Providence to Providence. This temporary traffic pattern will allow two lanes of travel westbound and two lanes of travel eastbound – all operating on the eastbound Washington Bridge.
This RIDOT strategy is likely to cause backups on I-95 as four lanes will be forced to merge into two lanes moving East on 195.
RIDOT will reopen most ramps that had been closed. However, the Gano Street off-ramp (Exit 1D) will remain closed, as will the on-ramps to I-195 West from Veterans Memorial Parkway and Taunton Avenue. RIDOT will continue to maintain passage on the westbound bridge for emergency vehicles only.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTGovernor Dan McKee’s administration continues to scramble after a week of chaos in Rhode Island that trapped commuters in their cars for hours. Schools were forced to close. Businesses have closed, and holiday parties are being canceled.
With the bypass lane open, RIDOT claims it will help alleviate congestion but there will still be delays. Motorists may continue to find one detour route or the other more effective for them. As traffic becomes accustomed to the change with the bypass lanes open, RIDOT expects congestion levels to even out and create more predictable traffic flow and travel times.
The following recommended detours and alternate routes may be used:
- Local traffic in East Providence: Use the Henderson Bridge and rejoin I-195 West at Gano Street.
- Southeast Massachusetts west of Fall River, MA: Take Massachusetts Exit 1 and follow Route 114A to Route 44 West. Follow onto Route 114 (Pawtucket Avenue) or Route 1A (Newport Avenue) to I-95. This is the preferred routes for trucks.
- Southeast Massachusetts east of Fall River, MA (including traffic coming from Cape Cod and the New Bedford Area): Take Massachusetts Exit 14B to Route 24 North. Follow to I-495 North to I-95.
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