Scaffolding work to snarl traffic on Mt. Hope Bridge
Closures mark first phase of cable dehumidification project
BRISTOL/PORTSMOUTH — Drivers crossing the Mt. Hope Bridge should expect recurring daytime lane closures beginning later this month as crews start the first phase of a long-term preservation …
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Scaffolding work to snarl traffic on Mt. Hope Bridge
Closures mark first phase of cable dehumidification project
BRISTOL/PORTSMOUTH — Drivers crossing the Mt. Hope Bridge should expect recurring daytime lane closures beginning later this month as crews start the first phase of a long-term preservation project aimed at extending the life of the nearly century-old span.
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) said work on installing a dehumidification system will begin Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, and continue through April.
During that time, alternating lanes will be closed Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., as scaffolding is erected above the bridge deck.
The lane restrictions are expected to slow traffic on the heavily traveled crossing, which connects Bristol to Aquidneck Island and serves as a key commuter and tourism route for the East Bay and Newport County. Motorists are urged to plan extra travel time, particularly during midday hours.
RITBA Executive Director Lori Caron Silveira said the scaffolding is essential to keeping the bridge open while work progresses.
“The scaffolding is key to keeping the bridge open during the upcoming phases of the dehumidification project and enabling the work crews to ‘walk to work,’” Silveira wrote in a notice sent Thursday to Mt. Hope Bridge stakeholders.
The dehumidification project is designed to slow corrosion inside the bridge’s main cables and anchorages, a problem caused by decades of moisture infiltration. By creating a dry environment within the cables, engineers aim to preserve their remaining strength and significantly extend the bridge’s lifespan.
In July 2025, RITBA confirmed it had secured a $17 million federal PROTECT grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to support the project, along with an additional $10 million in congressional funding. Officials say the work could extend the life of the bridge by 50 to 75 years.
While the current phase focuses on scaffolding installation, additional stages of construction are planned in the coming years. RITBA said it will continue to coordinate with local officials and stakeholders to keep the public informed as traffic impacts evolve.
