Ferry service between Bristol and Providence expected to start Monday

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) —  Another day of the traffic caused by the Washington Bridge closure, but Gov. Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation announced a new way to help commuters travel in an effort to reduce congestion.

Officials said that starting Monday there will be a ferry service running between Bristol and Providence from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day

Three ferries will work on half hour leave times that will create the capacity to transport 500 passengers an hour.

RIDOT said it has coordinated with the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority to have shuttles to take people from the ferry landing at India Point Park to Kennedy Plaza and the train station

In Bristol, passengers will be taken by bus from Colt State Park to the ferry.

“I think it is a great idea,” Douglas, Mass. resident Danny Soccoccio, who works in Providence, said. “People might find a much more reasonable alternative than being in the car all day and contributing to their carbon footprint. You might even have some social interaction rather than being in the car by yourself.”

RIDOT Director Peter Alviti said that it is his goal to start the service Monday but bad weather and other factors could impact the start date.

Bypass lanes on the bridge are also expected to open by the weekend.