Pell Bridge Toll Booths To Close Overnight: Coronavirus In RI

NEWPORT, RI — With fewer drivers on the road amid orders to stay home to reduce the spread of the new coronavirus, the manned cash toll booths on the westbound side of the Newport Pell Bridge will be temporarily closed. During overnight hours, all drivers will be directed to the open-road tolling lanes usually reserved for EZ Pass users.

The toll booths will be closed from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. starting Thursday night and continuing until further notice, the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority said in a release. Only the westbound booths — heading into Jamestown — will be affected. The East Shore Road exit just past the plaza will be inaccessible during these hours as well, necessitating a detour to the next exit.

Drivers who do not have an EZ Pass transponder can use the open road tolling lanes during overnight hours. The cameras will take a picture of the vehicle's license plate and the department will mail a bill to the address of the registered owner, and the toll will be the same as if the driver had paid at the toll booth. Bills can be paid online, via mail, at the dropbox outside the Jamestown RITBA office or over the phone from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 877-743-9727. With higher call volumes expected, drivers are encouraged to sign up for an EZ Pass account online.

The RITBA's office are closed to the public until further notice, though bills can be paid via dropbox outside the building. The call center will be closed on Saturdays until further notice, as well.

The westbound booths will be open and staffed as usual from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Eastbound toll booths will not be affected by the closure.