Newport Pell Bridge Project Enters Phase II

NEWPORT, R.I. — Phase II of the Newport Pell Bridge Project is underway with extended lane closures daily. There will be one lane permanently closed with lane shifts that allow for two inbound lanes eastbound for the morning commute and two open lanes westbound for the afternoon/evening commute.

The speed limit has been set at 25 miles per hour with no oversized vehicles allowed.

During Phase II, which began on Monday following the completion of Phase I last week, the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority will replace approximately 4,500 feed of the bridge deck.

#NPBridge 8/12: Extended Lane Closures-Daily lane shifts will include 2 inbound lanes eastbound for the morning commute and 2 open lanes westbound for the afternoon/evening commute. *SPEED LIMIT 25 MPH, NO OVERSIZED VEHICLES ALLOWED*
— RITBA (@RIEZPASS) August 12, 2019

By using a movable median barrier, RITBA will keep two lanes open heading into Newport in the morning (6 a.m. to 9 a.m.) and heading out of Newport in the evening (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.). There will be one lane open in the opposite direction during these times. During non-rush hours there will be one lane open in both directions and the contractor will have access to perform work on the other two lanes.

Vehicles exceeding 8 feet, 6 inches or 80,000 pounds are prohibited from the bridge during this phase. The work will focus on the 4,500 square feet of bridge between Exits 2E and 22E.

The $19 million project is expected to be finished in December 2020.