RIDOT Announces Washington Bridge "Critical Failure"

RIDOT Announces Washington Bridge "Critical Failure"

In what the Rhode Island Department of Transportation is calling an "emergency Announcement," the state agency announced Monday that due to the finding of a "critical failure" in Washington Bridge components, the agency "will close the westbound side of the Washington Bridge."

According to RIDOT, "Initially, all the westbound lanes will be closed and traffic diverted to alternate routes. In the next two to three weeks, we’ll move traffic to two lanes on the eastbound side at which time permanent repairs will begin on the westbound side."

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"This will require a closure of two lanes on I-195 East in the area of Exit 1A (India Street) starting at 9 a.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, December 12. Depending on the severity of what is found from the initial work, the repair could take three months or more. Beginning immediately and during the time that it takes to make the repairs and reopen the westbound side, travelers are asked to take the marked detour routes," said RIDOT.