Washington Bridge Closure Crisis

Demolition of westbound span starts

Initial removal phase is expected to last a month

Posted 9/10/24

In the past week contractors for the Rhode Island Department of Transportation began demolition of parapet walls along both sides of the westbound portion of the Washington Bridge. The work, being …

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Washington Bridge Closure Crisis

Demolition of westbound span starts

Initial removal phase is expected to last a month

Posted

PROVIDENCE — In the past week contractors for the Rhode Island Department of Transportation began demolition of parapet walls along both sides of the westbound portion of the Washington Bridge.

The work, being done by Aetna Bridge Co. after the Warwick-based outfit submitted the winning bid of $45.7 million for the demo project, is expected to continue through at least the end of September.

Due to the demolition, RIDOT closed the Gano Street, from India Street to the Interstate 195 West on-ramp under the under the bridge. The closures were supposed to be in effect through Thursday night, Sept. 12, from 9 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Lane closures on I-195 overnight from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., between the Providence River Bridge and the Washington Bridge were also necessitated for a time during the early stages of the demo.

RIDOT also alerted motorists the India Street off ramp (Exit 1A) on I-195 East and the on-ramp to I-195 East from South Main Street may also need to be closed overnight during the week. These closures are for electrical work for a new weigh-in-motion system that will help monitor the eastbound bridge’s structural health.

Additionally, lane closures are possible Thursday night, Sept. 12, on I-195 between I-95 and Exit 1D for bridge maintenance from 9:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. for monthly preventative maintenance checks of the eastbound bridge.

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A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.