Travel Advisory: New Route 138 Extension Opening In Newport

NEWPORT, RI — The traffic pattern on Route 138 eastbound in Newport will change Thursday night, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation said.

Under the change, traffic will be shifted onto the new Route 138 extension road onto Admiral Kalbfus Road. State officials said the new Route 138 extension will follow the path of a redesigned section of Halsey Street.

Drivers coming to Newport via the Pell Bridge will just continue along Route 138 as they normally do and follow it to a new traffic signal at Admiral Kalbfus Road. To continue following Route 138 toward Middletown and Portsmouth, they will turn right at the traffic signal instead of left.

The change does not affect traffic on JT Connell Highway northbound, which will continue to use the elevated highway over Admiral Kalbfus Road, ending at the traffic signal in front of the former Newport Grand casino. That section of road will remain in service until next spring.

The change is part of phase two of the $74 million Pell Bridge ramps project, which is redesigning the road network connecting to the Pell Bridge to make travel into Newport easy and safe. It includes a new efficient ramp system that will reduce congestion, especially the backup of vehicles on the bridge from the Downtown Newport exit, and improve the connection between Newport's North End and the downtown area, according to state transportation officials.

Also read: Pell Bridge In Newport Gets $82.5 Millioin In Federal Funding