The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) has announced that it will begin extended weekend lane closures on Route 1 at the Route 138 interchange in North Kingstown starting Thursday night, May 1, at 9 p.m. This marks the first of two consecutive weekends where accelerated bridge construction methods will be used to replace a structurally deficient bridge.
During these weekends, lanes and ramps will be temporarily shifted and closed, with detours implemented. Route 1 will be reduced to one lane in each direction. RIDOT advises motorists to expect delays and consider alternate routes if possible. Access to local businesses along the Route 1 corridor will remain open.
RIDOT plans to replace the southbound bridge first, with demolition and installation occurring from May 1 through May 5. The northbound bridge replacement is scheduled for May 8 through May 12.
Planned closures include one lane in each direction on Route 1 at the bridge, ramps from Route 1 South to Route 138 East, and from Route 138 West to Route 1 South. Some ramps allowing traffic reversal between Route 1 North and South will also close.
Suggested detours involve using turnaround points approximately one mile south of the Tower or merging onto other routes like Route 4 or Boston Neck Road (Route 1A).
These closures aim to prevent up to two years of lane restrictions on Route 1 by completing work before Memorial Day and Rhode Island’s summer tourism season.
The bridge replacements are part of a $35.8 million project that includes repaving sections of Route 1. The first segment was completed last year; the second will follow after the bridge work concludes.
This project is supported by RhodeWorks and the Bipartisan Infrastructure and Improvement Act, aiming to improve Rhode Island’s infrastructure while respecting environmental considerations.
For more information, visit www.ridot.net/RhodeWorks.
Information from this article can be found here.
