Cranston Ramp Metal and Concrete Fall onto Tracks, Halting Trains. Bridges Rated for Demo to get “Quick Look”

A structural failure on a highway ramp in Cranston brought rail traffic along the Northeast Corridor to a standstill Friday night, after debris from the bridge fell onto active train tracks and knocked down overhead electrical lines.

The incident involved the Route 10 northbound ramp to Interstate 95 north near Wellington Avenue — a structure that spans the rail line used by both Amtrak and MBTA commuter trains.

Officials said pieces of concrete and steel broke loose from the ramp and landed on the tracks below, damaging the overhead electrical system that powers trains. John Preiss, RIDOT Acting Chief Engineer for Infrastructure confirmed the debris that fell was “a piece of the parapet on the bridge, along with some of the barrier for the electrification of the Amtrak line.”

No injuries were reported. Engineers remained on scene assessing the damage and determining next steps for both the roadway and rail line.

Train Service through Rhode Island was suspended, with disruptions expected to extend through at least the end of the day. The MBTA Commuter Rail said a Providence Line train from Wickford Junction had been canceled. Amtrak Northeast said train service between Boston and points southwest, including Kingston, Rhode Island; New Haven, Connecticut; and New York had also been canceled.

According to Rhode Island Department of Transportation data, the ramp bridge was last inspected on March 8, 2025, and rated in “poor” condition. Under federal bridge inspection standards, a “poor” rating indicates significant structural deterioration and is the threshold used to classify bridges as structurally deficient.

RIDOT officials said the structure had been scheduled for another inspection within days, but the failure occurred before that review could take place.

The ramp is part of the Route 10/I-95 interchange, an area that has been the focus of a broader state effort to repair or replace aging infrastructure. Transportation officials have previously identified multiple bridges in this corridor as structurally deficient and included them in long-term replacement plans. The on-ramp to I-95 northbound was closed.

Of the 1,600 bridges, all bridges rated “poor” are inspected annually, with some inspected “at least every 3 months”, according to the RIDOT.

From the RIDOT website:

The affected rail corridor is part of the Northeast Corridor, the busiest passenger rail line in the country, connecting Boston and New York City.

Amtrak and RIDOT worked through the night to remove debris with the intent that Amtrak crews will then begin to repair the tracks and the overhead catenary system, noting the plan would be, by late morning, to have trains operating through the area, pulled by diesel locomotives while the electrical system repairs are complete. However, later statements have said trains will not run all day Saturday. The on-ramp from Route 10 North to Interstate 95 North may also be closed for an extensive period of time.

With overhead electrical lines damaged, by late Saturday afternoon some trains were being moved through the area using diesel locomotives, a workaround used when electric power is unavailable along the Northeast Corridor.

This is a developing story.