Bypass Lanes, Ferries, Small Business Relief: Washington Bridge Update

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI — Two bypass lanes are expected to be ready by Saturday to help the more than 90,000 drivers in limbo following Monday's sudden closure of the westbound side of the Washington Bridge due to it being deemed unsafe.

"Pavement on one lane is already done," state Transportation Director Peter Alviti said in a news conference with Gov. Dan McKee on Thursday. "We're hoping that we can get striping and signage down overnight tomorrow to have ready for Saturday morning. It could happen sometime during the day tomorrow. The definitive time is Saturday morning, but we will be messaging out during the day today as we get closer to that time."

Alviti also said state officials hope to have ferry service from Bristol to Providence operational by Monday morning to help alleviate some of the traffic. He said arrangements were made to have three ferries on half hour lead times. The ferries can move 500 passengers an hour, according to Alviti.

Along with the ferries, Alviti said the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) will provide shuttle services to and from the ferries to help commuters get to work. On the Providence side, the shuttles would go from the ferry landing at India Point Park to the train station. In Bristol, they'll go between Colt State Park and the ferry landing.

Alviti said he is not sure the ferries will be operational by Monday because of a storm expected this weekend, but crews are still aiming for that date.

"Everything we're doing at DOT is about restoring the convenience you had before this," Alviti said.

Business Impact

Rhode Island Secretary of Commerce Elizabeth Tanner said she's heard from more than 150 businesses facing challenges from the bridge closure's traffic nightmare.

Tanner said people in Providence and East Providence have canceled medical and cosmetology appointments. Food deliveries and restaurant reservations from as far as East Greenwich have also been canceled, she said. Businesses have struggled to get merchandise and supplies because of traffic delays.

In response to business owner's financial hardships, McKee said he signed a formal request to the federal Small Business Administration for low interests economic disaster loans.

"Our focus is really starting to look at our small businesses and the impact of the economy," McKee said. "I don't believe the entire state of Rhode Island is going to be impacted in the way East Providence is and Providence is. Let's support our small businesses."

Also read:

• Ferry And Bypass Lanes Planned Amid Washington Bridge Closure
• 'Critical Failure' Closes Washington Bridge, Possibly For Months.

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