Locals recount disastrous day of Washington Bridge lane changes

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Day one of a new third lane on I-195 East over the Washington Bridge did not go as well as some had hoped.

The additional lane was supposed to help with traffic, but drivers said they saw the opposite: heavy traffic and aggravated commuters not driving safely.

Miranda De La Cruz commutes to Rhode Island College from Riverside and shared her traffic experience.

“It definitely caused some backup today,” De La Cruz said. “It took me about 40 minutes to get there, usually it takes me about 20 to 30.”

Walt Anness works in East Providence along one of the detours.

“A few of the guys that showed up to work today were complaining it really threw their time schedule off for what they were used to already,” Anness said.

RIDOT added a lane on I-195 East to alleviate traffic on the Washington Bridge with another lane expected to open up on the westbound side by April 22.

However, the lanes are now much smaller, and people have to cross over to the eastbound lane a little bit earlier than they were before.

“It’s more hazardous driving as well, and people not knowing the new traffic pattern,” said Christopher Sing, a Pawtucket resident. “Not knowing what lane to be in, that’s going to cause an uproar and possibly accidents as well which is going to cause more traffic.”

Commuters worry the third lane will cause more headaches before reducing traffic anytime soon.

“People seem a little bit distracted,” said Jackie Petrocchi, a North Providence resident. “People are definitely noticing, but I hope it gets better.”

RIDOT says the goal is to alleviate traffic in the long run, and delays are expected as drivers get used to the new traffic patterns.

Trucks have to stay in the far right lane, because it’s slightly wider than the rest on I-195 East.