2023 Washington Bridge closure
In December 2023, the Washington Bridge in Providence, Rhode Island, United States was closed following discovery of issues with the bridge's components. The closure resulted in mass traffic in Rhode Island and parts of Massachusetts.
Closure[edit]
The north part of the Washington Bridge in Providence was shut down on December 11, 2023, after Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced discovery of "critical failure of some original bridge components".[1] The "critical failure" revealed was sheared pins noticed by an engineer working for Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.[2] The pins were intact as of July 2023, but damage put the bridge in danger of failure.[2]
Impacts[edit]
Traffic was detoured through East Providence and on to Henderson Bridge before connecting to Interstate 195 via Gano Street. RIDOT people announced that vehicles would be moved to lanes on the north bridge. The process was expected to take weeks, but was finished more quickly.[3][4] RIDOT's initial estimate for permanent westbound repairs was three months, depending on weather and other factors.[5]
Traffic on I-195 backed up into Massachusetts.[2]
East Providence schools switched to early-dismissal, with remote learning on Wednesday.[6] Ambulances were allowed on one lane of the north bridge to keep access to hospitals, as Rhode Island Hospital is the only Level-1 trauma center for southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.[6]
References[edit]
- ↑ Doiron, Sarah (December 11, 2023). "RIDOT closes I-195 West at Washington Bridge". WPRI. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Amanda Milkovits; Edward Fitzpatrick (December 12, 2023). "Engineer spotted 'concerning issue' 3 days before I-195 westbound bridge closed, R.I. DOT chief says". The Boston Globe.
- ↑ "'Critical failure' will result in closure of Westbound lanes of Washington Bridge". The Providence Journal. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
- ↑ "State officials: Westbound lanes on eastbound Washington Bridge should open this weekend". WJAR. December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ↑ RIDOT announces 195 closure at westbound Washington Bridge
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Travis Andersen (December 13, 2023). "'Like the pandemic in reverse': R.I. traffic nightmare from emergency bridge closure drags on as officials detail alternate routes". The Boston Globe.
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