Providence Moves to Place Weight Limit on Trucks Due to Washington Bridge Detours

Providence Moves to Place Weight Limit on Trucks Due to Washington Bridge Detours

The Providence City Council passed an ordinance to limit the weight of trucks on city streets surrounding Washington Bridge detours.

The ordinance aims to prevent cut-throughs and damage to East Side roads caused by heavy truck traffic.

The Washington Bridge was closed due to a critical failure more than three months ago.

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The ordinance was passed for the first time. According to the City Charter, all ordinances must be passed twice, so it will not be in effect for at least two weeks.

Under the new restrictions, trucks weighing more than 25 tons (50,000 pounds) would be prohibited from traveling on some roads exiting the Providence side of the Henderson Bridge, including: 

• Angell Street between Benefit Street and Butler Ave
• Waterman Street between Benefit Street and Butler Ave
• Gano Street between Angell Street and Trenton Street

In addition, it limits vehicles weighing more than 30,000 pounds from traveling over any city bridge -- with a $200 penalty -- and Public Works is required to post signs stating “Weight Limit 25 Tons Except Local Deliveries.”

For comparison, the maximum weight of a loaded tractor-trailer under U.S. federal law is 80,000 pounds.

Exceptions are made for:

Trash trucks
Deliveries
Vehicles owned and operated by the City of Providence or vendors contracted by the city
Road machinery, RIPTA vehicles, heavy-duty tow trucks, emergency vehicles, and natural gas vehicles