The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) today announced that it will close travel lanes on I-195 West and temporarily close the Taunton Avenue on-ramp as it continues to modify the work zone for the Washington Bridge Rehabilitation Project.
Starting at 8 p.m. tonight, Monday, August 27, RIDOT will close the Taunton Avenue on-ramp in East Providence and its lane onto I-195. At 10 p.m., RIDOT will close another lane on I-195 West, after the Broadway exit. At least two lanes of travel on I-195 will remain open.
The restrictions are needed as RIDOT removes concrete barrier along the entire length of the Washington Bridge. When finished by 5 a.m., there will be five lanes of travel over the bridge, and traffic will resume using the original Taunton Avenue on-ramp. The Gano Street off-ramp (Exit 3) will remain closed.
During the closure of the Taunton Avenue on-ramp, traffic will be directed to use a detour following Valley Street to Warren Avenue to the Broadway on-ramp to I-195 West. Other entrance ramps that may be convenient are on Pawtucket Avenue or via the East Shore Expressway.
RIDOT chose the evening and overnight hours to do this work when traffic volumes are low. However, traffic delays are likely and motorists should plan extra time for travel or consider alternate routes after 8 p.m. tonight.
The Department is examining traffic volumes and travel times from the past week and is developing options to establish a new work zone that allows RIDOT to continue work on this structurally deficient bridge while reducing traffic impacts.