UPDATED: Travel Advisory, Washington Bridge closures

(Updates in red)

This begins with the original information on the closure of the Washington ridge – note that it will be updated CONTINUOUSLY – with new information noted in RED – please check back on this critical and ever-changing information.

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) has closed the west bound side of the Washington Bridge due to the finding of a critical failure of some bridge components. These particular components are part of the original Washington Bridge which was built in 1968. They were uncovered during the reconstruction of the Washington Bridge.

Initially, all the westbound lanes will be closed and traffic diverted to alternate routes.

In the next two to three weeks RIDOT will move traffic to two lanes on the eastbound side at which time permanent repairs will begin on the westbound side.

This will require a closure of two lanes on I-195 East in the area of Exit 1A (India Street).

Depending on the severity of what RIDOT finds in its initial work, the repair could take three months or more. RIDOT has alerted emergency vehicle operators and officials in the adjoining cities and towns. Director Peter Alviti said, “In the process of reconstructing the Washington Bridge, our consultants found urgent safety issues that could cause a critical deficiency on this side of the bridge. We are closing the westbound side until we can make it completely safe.”

RI DOT Camera Link – click on image:

Beginning immediately and during the time that it takes to make the repairs and reopen the westbound side, travelers are asked to take the marked detour routes which are:

Local traffic in East Providence: Take Exit 2 to Broadway. Follow detour signs to the Henderson Bridge and rejoin I-195 West at Gano Street.

Southeast Massachusetts west of Fall River, MA: Take Massachusetts Exit 1 and follow Route 114A. Follow onto Route 114 (Pawtucket Avenue) or Route 1A (Newport Avenue) to I-95. This is the preferred routes for trucks.

Southeast Massachusetts east of Fall River, MA (including traffic coming from Cape Cod and the New Bedford Area): Take Massachusetts Exit 14B to Route 24 North. Follow to I-495 North to I-95.

The Washington Bridge carries 96,000 vehicles daily. The total construction cost for the Washington Bridge project is $78 million.

Editor’s Note: Massive traffic jams occurred in East Providence last night, including cars using the newly opened Henderson Bridge. Some were opting to go north to 295 and go around Providence to Route 10, 95, or 146 – others were going south to Newport and coming back north over the Newport Bridge.

Employers are expected to allow those workers who can work from home to do so – or staggered hours for incoming and release. Schools will be announcing some changes for buses using that route daily. At least 3 private elementary and secondary schools are in the East Bay – PCD, Gordon, Bay View.

Emergency services access are the most critical concern, with Rhode Island Hospital’s Level 1 Trauma Center in Providence. Workarounds and agreements for nearby Massachusetts facilities may be in play such as Sturdy Memorial in Attleboro and the Southcoast Hospital systems.

UPDATES for Dec. 13th:

Photos of the bridge repair need are beginning to surface – steel pins are the biggest concern, where 5 of the 6 pins at the critical area have broken – RIDOT says this was not seen in the bridge’s last inspection over 3 months ago:

Drivers were stuck in traffic for multiple HOURS on Tuesday. Redirects to the Henderson Bridge also resulted in the Eats Side of Providence being in gridlock. Much of Pawtucket was also in gridlock – as drivers did their best to work around the bridge’s loss that effectively cut the state in two. Drivers using the Newport Bridge early in the day were also stuck in traffic, as that bridge is also under construction.

2 lanes of I-195 East are being worked on to turn them into West lanes, but that is expected to take 2 weeks.

RIPTA has over 14 routes being delayed and detoured – check their website for updates at: HERE

The Rhode Island Turnpike & Bridge Authority meets today at 8:30 a.m.

A single emergency lane is being opened on I-195 West NOW and one at a time emergency vehicles will be allowed over the road to get to hospitals. Lifeflight coordination is also being arranged.

East Providence has added 35 officers for traffic detail. Also responded to over 20 accidents and that number is increasing – they may ask the state for help with the National Guard.

East Providence schools staggered release on Tuesday and will all move to Virtual Learning today, and probably for the rest of the week.

East Providence schools and PCD Athletics held at the schools are canceled.

Bay View Academy moves to winter break immediately – will resume in January.

Gordon School reports it will allow parents to work remotely from their building, once they drop off their children.

LaSalle‘s East Bay resident students can “attend” remotely.

An idea to have buses take groups of people met with caution about the weight of the buses.

Newport is still inundated with in-town traffic, as many have used Newport Bridge to get around.

RI SBA is encouraging businesses impacted businesses to apply for loans if they have had a business loss. If your business took in less this week than they did last week, then apply for an SBA Idle Loan.

Federal Hill Business Association said, “We’re in trouble” – talking about loss of business on the hill.

Wayland Square Business group – businesses say their stores are “empty” – the Mayor, Governor and others toured and went business to business to talk to owners.

In a statement from Rep. Chippendale, the Rhode Island House Minority Leader: I urge the Speaker to empower House Oversight to fully explore all interactions between RI DOT and the contractors who constructed, improved and maintained that roadway and determine how this could have happened. We should further investigate the parameters under which routine inspections are done on our infrastructure assets. If we have unqualified people performing these inspections – which I think is the only inference we can draw from what we know at this time, then we need to address that immediately.

Governor McKee – he will hold a press conference daily – his summary today:

• First thing this morning, Governor McKee hosted the Administration’s daily municipal leader briefing where we continue to get updates directly from communities impacted by the Washington Bridge closure. This is crucial information that helps us respond quickly to changing conditions.

• Governor McKee joined East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva and East Providence Police Chief Christopher Francesconi to survey traffic conditions, identify areas that may require an adjustment in traffic patterns, and see firsthand where the State can provide additional support to reduce congestion.

• Governor McKee, Providence Mayor Smiley and Commerce Secretary Tanner met with businesses in Wayland Square to hear firsthand how the closure is impacting their operations and to offer support.

• RIDOT has made significant progress on getting two lanes open on the eastbound side of the Washington Bridge with the expectation of opening the bypass for use starting this weekend, well ahead of initial two-week projection. All barriers needed for this change are on site and installation has started. RIDOT also has created a dedicated web page for information about the closure at: www.ridot.net/WashingtonBridgeClosure. This website also has valuable information for commuters, including a wide range of suggested detours. All announcements will be posted here as well.

• RIDOT is also pursuing other strategies to move vehicles westbound, including possible temporary ferry service between Bristol and Providence. RIDOT has spoken with Interstate Navigation, SeaStreak and Vineyard Fast Ferry – those conversations will continue and additional details will be shared.

• To assist businesses disrupted by closure, RIDOT has also designated a liaison to work daily with them and the team at Commerce.  

• RIEMA is deploying portable camera systems to East Providence to assist with traffic management concerns. They have also been tasked by the Governor to organize daily calls with local elected officials and state agency directors to provide status updates and coordinate solutions for concerns and issues. 

• Rhode Island Commerce remains in constant contact with state, local, and federal officials sharing updated outreach efforts and information from businesses while also conveying updates to the chambers of commerce, trade associations, and community and business leaders. A team has been mobilized to address questions and concerns from businesses, conduct outreach, and work with them on available assistance. Our helpline 521-HELP is open, and a webpage has been created at commerceri.com/emergency-assistance with important information and resources.