UPDATE: Traffic back to normal 95 South, but not for long

ABC6 News
RIDOT new traffic pattern

By: News Staff

news@abc6.com

Traffic was finally back to normal on 95 South on Wednesday.

But the Department of Transportation (DOT) is advising not to get too used to it because traffic patterns will change again, on Saturday.

Authorities at the DOT are bringing the same changes back, but this time, they’re going to make signs more clear for drivers.

There will still be a fork in the middle of 95 South at the Atwells Ave. exit.

Drivers will be able to take either side of the bridge to continue on the highway.

It will not force you off an exit.

If you were heading to work Tuesday morning through Providence on 95 South chances are you were stuck in traffic.

Rush hour traffic was an absolute nightmare on 95 South, and the evening commute does not look much better.

It’s because the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is in the process of installing a new bridge, near exit 21, and made some lane changes that drivers weren’t ready for.

There were three lanes of traffic open, but the problem was that two lanes were open on the old bridge and one had moved over to the new bridge.

Drivers throughout the day were extremely confused thinking that the lane on the new bridge was forcing them to exit the highway.

Nearly every car was trying to get over to the old bridge at the last minute, creating a bottleneck.

During rush hour Tuesday morning traffic backed up well into Massachusetts, and RIDOT’s Director says there were at least 11 accidents because of the new traffic pattern.

"We apologize for the inconvenience motorists experienced this morning," said Director of The Rhode Island Department of Transportation, Peter Alviti Jr. "Not only are we putting things back the way they were, we’re reevaluating our operations and will have improved signage and more media outreach to alert motorists during the transition period associated with opening the new bridge."

According to a press release sent by the Department of Transportation, there are 3 phases for construction on the new bridge:

  • Phase 1: Scheduled to be in place Saturday, October 22, there will be two through lanes to the left on the old bridge and one through lane to the right on the new bridge. Traffic taking Exit 21 can use the far right lane (which is an exit-only lane for Atwells Avenue).

  • Phase 2: Approximately one week later, there will be one through lane to the left on the old bridge and two through lanes to the right on the new bridge. Again, traffic taking Exit 21 will need have access to the far right lane (which is an exit-only lane for Atwells Avenue).

  • Phase 3: In early November there will be no traffic splits, with all three lanes open on the new bridge and one exit-only lane designated for Exit 21.

More information can be found on the RIDOT website here.

©WLNE-TV / ABC6 2016

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