Department of Transportation to add lane closures on I-195 east in addition to Washington Bridge changes
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Department of Transportation said more traffic changes are coming Tuesday after announcing the closure of the westbound side of the Washington Bridge.
The department said Monday the closure was immediate.
Director Peter Alviti cited a “critical failure of some original bridge components.”
The department said all westbound lanes will be closed and traffic will be diverted to alternate routes as repairs are made. Officials said depending on the severity of what they find, repairs could take three months or more.
The work will require a closure of two lanes on Interstate 195 east near exit 1A near India Street for roughly two weeks starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday.
The department provided the following detours:
- Local traffic in East Providence: Take exit 2 to Broadway. Follow detour signs to the Henderson Bridge and rejoin I-195 west at Gano Street.
- Southeast Massachusetts west of Fall River: Take Massachusetts exit 1 and follow Route 114A. 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 (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.
