On Friday night, June 10, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will change the traffic pattern on Route 138 East just after crossing the Pell Bridge into Newport and establish a lane split, with one lane open on either side of the split.
All traffic using the Downtown Newport exit ramp must stay to the right of the split. Traffic staying on Route 138 toward Admiral Kalbfus Road and Middletown must stay to the left of the split. RIDOT recommends that motorists reduce their speed through the work zone but not stop or suddenly change lanes at the split. The traffic pattern will be in place until early fall 2022.
The traffic change will allow RIDOT to continue bridge preservation activities on the bridges over 3rd Street, the Old Colony and Newport Railroad line and JT Connell Highway. This work is part of the $74 million Pell Bridge Ramps Phase 2 project.
The Pell Bridge Ramps Phase 2 project will redesign the road network connecting to the Pell Bridge to make travel into Newport easy and safe. It includes a new efficient ramp system that will reduce congestion, especially the backup of vehicles on the bridge from the Downtown Newport exit, and improve the connection between Newport's North End and the downtown area. With a smaller footprint, the new design also will spur economic development as it frees up approximately 25 acres of land. It will be finished by the end of 2024.
All construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings, and weather.
The Pell Bridge Ramps Phase 2 Project is 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.