A couple weeks back we ran a story advising commuters of the upcoming work on the Potter Street bridge that spans I-195 near Taunton Avenue beginning on Nov. 6.

Time, as it does, has quickly gone by, and now that upcoming work is happening Friday.

The City of East Providence, in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), will hold an informational session on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 6:00 p.m. in the third floor conference room of East Providence City Hall for anyone with questions.

To reiterate the process that’s about to begin:

Starting at 10 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6 RIDOT will close I-195 in both directions near the Taunton Avenue exit in East Providence. The closure will last for approximately 12 hours, and will enable the state to demolish the Potter Street bridge that spans the interstate from Freeborn Avenue to School Street. Some lanes on I-195 will re-open around at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, with all lanes being reopened by 12 p.m.

While the full closure will begin at 10 p.m., lane closures may begin after 8 p.m. leading up to the closure time. The following detours will be used for any traffic on the interstate during the closure period:

• I-195 East: Take Exit 1D (Warren Avenue). Turn left at the end of the ramp and follow Warren Avenue. In approximately 1 mile, turn left onto the on-ramp to return to I-195 East. Note: Exits 1B and 1C for Veterans Memorial Parkway and Taunton Avenue, respectively, will remain open.
• I-195 West: Take Exit 2 (Broadway). Turn left at the end of the ramp then turn right onto Warren Avenue. In approximately ¾ of a mile, turn right onto the on-ramp toward I-195 West, which is being temporarily opened to be used for this detour.

Local traffic detours

RIDOT recommends avoiding the area entirely during the duration of the closure. If you work or live in the area and that is not possible, commuters are asked to keep the following local detours in mind during the process:

• Local traffic will be temporarily restricted from crossing Warren Avenue. RIDOT and local and State police will provide assistance at these crossings. Only Pawtucket Avenue or Waterfront Drive will be available for north-south travel across Warren Avenue.
• On-street parking will not be permitted on this section of Warren Avenue.
• The center of the road will be utilized for any emergency vehicle travel.
• Traffic will not be permitted to turn onto Warren Avenue westbound from Pawtucket Avenue.
• Broadway will be closed between Freeborn Avenue and Warren Avenue.
• Three on-ramps will be closed to I-195 West: from Warren Avenue westbound at the East Shore Expressway, from Pawtucket Avenue northbound or southbound and from Broadway southbound.
• The Department is making temporary connections from the currently closed Warren Avenue on-ramp so it can be used to assist detouring traffic coming from Warren Avenue to I-195 West. Emergency vehicles also will have access to this ramp from Taunton Avenue and Veterans Memorial Parkway.