Department of Transportation to close emergency vehicle lane on I-195 for reconstruction

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Department of Transportation said Thursday that it will close the lane open to emergency vehicles on Interstate 195 west.

The department said the lane will close around noon for reconstruction.

“Travelers using the bypass lanes will notice that emergency vehicles are now blended into regular traffic and should slow down and move over for ambulances, police cars and other emergency vehicles,” the department announced on social media.

The department has been monitoring traffic on the Washington Bridge since the sudden closure of the westbound side earlier this month.

The state launched a Business Recovery Center in East Providence on Tuesday for businesses in the area of the bridge that have lost revenue since the closure. Gov. Dan McKee said the focus is on economic recovery as the Department of Transportation works to find a permanent solution.

Officials have been trying to make the closure easier on commuters as well.

Last week, department opened two bypass lanes on the eastern side of the Washington Bridge for westbound traffic.

A free ferry service from Bristol to Providence started Thursday after it was postponed due to weather and technical issues.