Newport Pell Bridge lane restrictions begin Monday, may cause delays

NEWPORT, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority said that improvements on the Newport Pell Bridge beginning Monday may impact driving times.

Executive Director Lori Caron said improvements from the work will include “rehabilitation of a single-span approach bridge structure, reconstruction of the highway, installation of a new toll gantry, and demolition of the current toll plaza.”

Traffic on both sides will be reduced to one lane between the old toll plaza and the bridge.

“The most efficient way to move cars through this area is to zipper merge, where drivers use both lanes until they merge alternately into a single lane,” Caron said.

The authority said that the reductions will be in place 24 hours a day, seven days a week until April 2024.

In addition, no vehicles wider than eight feet, six inches will be allowed on the bridge.