RI State, Local Police Cracking Down On Newport Bridge Drivers

NEWPORT, RI — Local and state police will be stepping up patrols on the Newport Pell Bridge ahead of Phase Two of construction. The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority is partnering with local law enforcement to crack down on distracted drivers, sending a message about the importance of driving safely.

Starting Monday, there will be increased patrols along Route 138 from the intersection of Route 1 to the Newport side of the bridge. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation's Office on Highway Safety, Rhode Island State Police and the Jamestown, Newport and North Kingstown Police Departments are all involved in the campaign.

"This initiative is about safety — safety for motorists on the roadways, and for maintenance and construction workers on the bridge," said Buddy Croft, the executive director of the RITBA. "We all need to do our part in keeping one another safe by being aware of our speed and conforming to the speed limit at all times."

Patrols will focus on distracted drivers and speeders, aimed at raising awareness ahead of Phase Two of construction, which will close one lane on the bridge until the end of the year. The current speed limit on the bridge is 40 mph, though it will be reduced to 25 mph once construction begins.