Second Phase Of Newport Bridge Construction Starts In August

NEWPORT, RI — The second phase of construction on the NEwport Pell Bridge will begin in just a few weeks. In early August, one lane will be permanently closed, meaning there will be two lanes going in one direction and just one on the other side.

To help keep traffic moving during peak morning hours, there will be two lanes on the eastbound side, heading into Newport, from 6 a.m. until 9 a.m., with a single lane on the westbound side. The opposite will be true during the evening commute, from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m., when two lanes will be open on the westbound side, with one lane on the eastbound side.

On weekdays, traffic may be cut down to just one lane in each direction from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., or overnight from 7 p.m. until 5:30 a.m. from Sunday through Thursday.

Throughout construction, the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority said other lane closures might be put into place, and that there will be no additional lane closures during holidays or major area events. The second phase of construction is expected to last until December.