The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is starting a bridge preservation project for the structurally deficient Stony Lane Bridge, which carries Route 4 over Stony Lane in North Kingstown. This work will require daytime and overnight lane closures on Route 4 next week, followed by a series of lane shifts on the highway extending into the end of this year.
The restrictions begin the week of May 4 with lane closures possible on the bridge, which is located between Exit 3 (Route 102/Wickford) and Exit 5 (Route 2/South County Trail). The closures may take place during the daytime and overnight hours, weather permitting, for pavement milling during the night and paving during the day.
Only one lane of travel may be open at the bridge in either direction. Expect travel delays.
These lane closures are necessary for paving rumble strips in the shoulders before the first phase of lane shifts begin on Sunday night, May 10. Effective early on Monday, May 11, all lanes will be shifted to the right.
The temporary traffic pattern will remain in place until late fall. It will be followed by two more phases of lane shifts. RIDOT expects travel lanes to be restored to normal in summer 2021.
During each phase of the project, RIDOT will work on different portions of the bridge, doing steel and concrete repairs, replacing bridge joints and repaving when done. This work will improve the bridge's condition, removing its structurally deficient status.
The Stony Lane Bridge was built in 1988 and carries 61,000 vehicles per day. The work is part of a larger, $4.2 million, 11-bridge project in North Kingstown and East Greenwich.
All construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings, and weather.
Repairs to the Stony Lane Bridge were made possible by RhodeWorks, RIDOT's ongoing commitment to repair structurally deficient bridges and bring Rhode Island's transportation infrastructure into a state of good repair, promote economic development, and create jobs. Learn more at www.ridot.net/RhodeWorks.