NO one saw this coming. Monday night’s Washington Bridge closing has Rhode Islanders LIVID.
The holiday travel season came to an abrupt, screeching halt Monday night in Rhode Island. With out warning or preparation, The Rhode Island Department of Transportation, known as RIDOT closed the I-95 Westbound Lanes of the Washington Bridge Monday night.
According to CBS News:
“In the next two to three weeks, RIDOT expects westbound traffic to be moved to two lanes on the eastbound side of the bridge so repairs can begin. Depending on the severity, repairs could take three months or more to complete.” The report says that the areas needing repair are part of the original Washington Bridge which was built in 1968.
This abrupt halt has Rhode Islanders livid, scratching their heads asking questions. Why weren’t we warned? Where have tax payer dollars been going seeing this hasn’t been fixed for years and years.
How Will This Affect Massachusetts Drivers?
Drivers that live on the Rhode Island border, that may live in the New Bedford, Fall River, Dartmouth areas that may work in Rhode Island, traditionally to use I-95. Now, that will change.
Massachusetts drivers will be affected as well. MassDOT said drivers entering Rhode Island from Massachusetts on I-195, I-95, 1, 6, 44, 152, and 114A will be impacted and should anticipate delays.
How Did This Happen?
WPRI-TV reports:
RIDOT Director Peter Alviti said the faulty components were discovered by engineers working on the $78 million Washington Bridge reconstruction project. Alviti warned that a number of the pins designed to brace the bridge have been severed. If the westbound side remained open, there could have been a “catastrophic failure” that might have caused it to collapse.
This massive three month long project will close one entire side of bridge traffic.
See the detour map below.
What is Twitter, (now X) saying about the Washington Bridge closing?