Washington Bridge Bypass Lanes to Open This Weekend

State plans to launch ferry service and schools to resume in-person classes amid ongoing bridge closure.

Two emergency bypass lanes are expected to open this weekend on the east side of the Washington Bridge, allowing westbound traffic to cross the bridge again.
The state expects to launch a ferry service between Bristol and Providence in a week or so to help alleviate the traffic congestion.
East Providence schools, which shifted to remote instruction due to traffic jams, will resume in-person classes on Thursday with early release times for high schools to manage bus schedules.
Governor Daniel J. McKee plans to sign a letter to the US Small Business Administration to get emergency assistance for local businesses hard-hit by the bridge closure.
The bridge closure was caused by the failure of rods bracing the bridge, which were part of the original bridge structure when it was built in 1968 and had reached the end of their life span.