Old Route 138 Exit To Downtown Newport Permanently Closing Friday

NEWPORT, RI — The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) on Friday night will permanently close the old downtown Newport exit on Route 138 eastbound coming into Aquidneck Island from the Pell Bridge.

With the closure, all traffic will use the new ramp system to access downtown Newport, state officials said. The new alignment replaces the exit with an intersection a quarter mile after the old exit.

State officials said drivers should stay left after the old off-ramp and use one of the two lanes for turning left at the new JT Connell Connector Road, then left again onto JT Connell Highway toward Farewell Street and downtown.

The JT Connell Connector Road opened last year and drivers can use this as an alternate route to downtown. RIDOT recommends travelers use the new road to become familiar with it before the old exit closes.

State officials said the new ramp system was designed to improve safety and reduce congestion, especially the backup of vehicles on the bridge from the downtown Newport exit. RIDOT estimates the change will reduce rear-end and sideswipe crashes by 80 percent and reduce vehicle emissions.

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