Phase 2 Of Newport Bridge Construction Starts This Week

NEWPORT, RI — Phase one of construction on the Pell Bridge in Newport is complete. The second phase will begin Wednesday, bringing more changes lane changes to the bridge.

The coronavirus pandemic brought a massive drop in traffic on the bridge, the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority said, meaning there was not a need for two lanes of traffic to be open in one direction during morning and evening rush hours. The added lane closure allowed workers to finish phase one ahead of schedule.

Prep work for phase two will begin Wednesday with hydro-demolition and milling work. This phase will focus on repairs to the westbound passing lane, or the center lane heading towards Jamestown from Newport, and is expected to last until mid-August.

Based on the current traffic volume, there will be one lane open in each direction on the outermost edges of the bridge, with the two center lanes closed. If summer traffic causes backups, the department will consider reopening a second lane during peak hours.

Throughout construction, the speed limit on the bridge has been lowered to 25 mph. Because lanes have been narrowed, oversize and overweight trucks larger than 8 feet, 6 inches or 80,000 pounds or higher will not be allowed on the bridge.