Gridlock in Providence

Gridlock in Providence

The Washington Bridge closure of all westbound lanes on I-195 — due to a “catastrophic failure” — has already begun to impact the city of Providence.

Traffic is now being diverted over the Henderson Bridge in East Providence into Providence’s East Side by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, and traffic on Angell Street was on Monday night was gridlock. 

According to RIDOT, the work on Washington Bridge will close the westbound lanes for at least two to three weeks -- at minimum. 

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Providence in Chaos

On Monday night, Providence Police blocked off side streets, including Wayland Avenue on the East Side, so as not to allow drivers to seek alternate routes while off Angell Street when trying to get back on the highway.

A police officer was manually switching the traffic light at the intersection of Angell and Taber, where drivers are allowed to turn to go down Gano and get back on 195 west after the bridge closure.

This was just the beginning of weeks of traffic delays.

RIDOT's diversion of traffic to the Henderson Bridge is expected to be hit with massive delays. That bridge just opened and has been plagued by delays.