The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is reminding motorists that the bridge that carries off-ramp traffic from Exit 4 on I-195 East to Veterans Memorial Parkway in East Providence is scheduled to close tomorrow, Saturday, November 24, 2012.
RIDOT is closing the bridge on Exit 4 until Summer 2013 in order to rehabilitate it. As the Exit 4 ramp splits in two directions, RIDOT only will be closing the right lane to Veterans Memorial Parkway. RIDOT will maintain access to the left lane, which leads to Route 44 (Taunton Avenue).
Motorists on I-195 East will be directed to follow a detour using Exit 8 (Route 1A/Route 114) to Warren Avenue. The detour then turns south onto Pawtucket Avenue and returns to Veterans Memorial Parkway in the vicinity of Bradley Hospital. A detour map is available on RIDOT's website at www.dot.ri.gov/travelri/detourmaps.asp.
The bridge is being rebuilt at a cost of $2 million, and is part of a larger project to preserve the old Washington Bridge and transform it into a linear park and bikeway.
Those with questions can contact RIDOT's Customer Service office at 401-222-2450 weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional information will be available on RIDOT's social media sites on Twitter and Facebook.
Contact: Heidi Gudmundson (401) 222-1362, Ext. 4009