Traffic Nightmare After Accident on Newport Bridge

If you were trying to travel across the Newport Bridge in either direction on Wednesday evening, then you know all too well about the gridlock that stalled traffic for more than half an hour.

According to Rhode Island State Police, the backup started after a tractor trailer truck struck a stopped car at 5:30 p.m., causing the truck to jackknife across the bridge and block both eastbound lanes. Police say the car had stopped to help another traveler who'd broken down on the bridge.

Traffic was stalled on the bridge for more than half an hour, causing many travelers to shut off their engines and just wait. Travel picked up again in the westbound lane of Route 138 around 6:30 p.m., with eastbound travelers waiting about 15 more minutes.

The accident was reportedly cleared by 7 p.m.