RIDOT to shift traffic onto new Henderson Bridge

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Department of Transportation said that it will begin shifting traffic onto the newly constructed Henderson Bridge between East Providence and Providence on Thursday.

RIDOT said the opening will take place in phases, “with westbound traffic shifted by the morning commute on Friday, November 17 and eastbound traffic shifting on Monday morning, November 20.”

“All traffic will pass through the new roundabout RIDOT is building on Massasoit Avenue in East Providence,” the department added.

The department said that on Thursday the following procedures will be used to get on the bridge:

• Drivers on Massasoit Avenue will be able to exit the roundabout onto the bridge or continue straight on Massasoit Avenue.
• Motorists entering the Henderson Expressway from North Broadway will be directed to use the original exit to Massasoit Avenue toward Rumford. A temporary traffic signal at the end of this ramp will allow left turns onto Massasoit Avenue toward the roundabout and bridge.
• All westbound traffic will cross over the bridge onto South Angell Street in Providence. Eastbound traffic will remain on the old bridge through the weekend. The Massasoit Avenue eastbound exit will be closed; all traffic will exit at North Broadway and follow a signed detour using North Broadway to Waterman Avenue to reach Massasoit Avenue.

On Monday, the eastbound lanes will use the following instructions:

• Motorists will follow the travel lane from the end of Waterman Street onto the newly constructed bridge and to the new roundabout in East Providence.
• All traffic heading to North Broadway will need to follow a detour via Massasoit Avenue northbound.

RIDOT added that the shared-use bike path on the bridge should be opened by the end of November.