Newport Bridge E-ZPass Lanes to Close for Two Weeks for New Tolling Hardware Install

NEWPORT, RI—Rush hour on Rhode Island's biggest bridge is going to get irksome for a couple of weeks beginning next week.

The open road tolling lanes at the feet of the Claiborne Pell Bridge will be closed for about two weeks beginning Monday, according to the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority.

The closure of the high speed lanes is for the installation of new hardware and digital equipment "in order to modernize the Newport Pell Bridge's tolling apparatus," RIBTA said in a news release.

The closure begins on March 28 and is expected to last until April 13. Bad weather could extend the schedule.

"The Authority is anticipating traffic delays particularly during the morning and evening commutes," the release stated.

The lanes enable people with E-ZPass transponders whisk through the toll plaza on the Jamestown side of the bridge at about 40 mph without stopping.

During the closure, all traffic will be forced to queue at the tolling gates to the right of the ORT lanes.

The new tolling hardware includes cameras, lasers, multi-protocol readers, antennas, new software, wiring, servers, "and other digital equipment that will provide more accurate reads of E-ZPass transponders and license plate images," the authority said. "The Authority’s new toll collection system will provide a more secure and efficient method for storing data, staging for future upgrades, and a more reliable system for disaster recovery in the event of a major incident or natural disaster. In addition to the new electronic equipment, RITBA will also be replacing the concrete road bed in the vicinity of the toll booths and gantries."