RITBA TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES ON NEWPORT PELL BRIDGE AS PART OF 10-YEAR CAPITAL PLAN

R.I. – The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) announced that
construction and maintenance activities on the Newport Pell Bridge will begin on
Tuesday, September 20th and are expected to finish in late November 2016. While
construction on the Mount Hope Bridge has already begun, lane closures are not
scheduled to start until mid-October 2016. The first phase of work on the Newport
Pell Bridge will begin Tuesday, September 20th-Friday, September 23rd from 8:00p.m.
to 5:30a.m. Day construction and maintenance activities on the Newport Pell, which
will include bridge joint repairs, are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, September
27th. This will require closures in both the east and westbound lanes each week
Monday through Friday from 9:00a.m.-3:00p.m. Additionally, these scheduled closures
will include the eastbound Open Road Tolling lanes for approximately two weeks
beginning Tuesday, September 27th from 9:00a.m.-3:00p.m. The Authority’s activities
are part of its 2017 Ten-Year Renewal and Replacement Plan (Ten–Year Capital Plan)
that will ensure the safety and integrity of the Newport Pell Bridge, and the
Authority’s other infrastructure assets, for decades to come. Because of the
inherent traffic delays associated with this type of construction activity, RITBA
has partnered with the app, WAZE, to provide a free, real-time crowdsourced
navigation report on its website. RITBA will now be able to provide motorists with
the latest up-to-date information regarding lane closures, construction activity and
traffic conditions on its bridges and roadways. To stay informed and access
real-time traffic updates and alerts visit RITBA.org. The Authority apologizes for
any inconvenience the construction and maintenance activities may cause drivers
during their commutes. For more information, please contact RITBA at 401-423-0800;
check its website at RITBA.org, on Twitter or on Facebook.