New Traffic Pattern Coming To Route 138 In North Kingstown For Bridge Replacement Project

NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI — A new traffic pattern will come to Route 138 in North Kingstown, beginning Friday, for the next phase of a major bridge construction project, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) said Thursday.

Effective Friday and weather permitting, the RIDOT crews will install a new traffic pattern on Route 138 where it passes underneath the Tower Hill Road (Route 1) Bridge. RIDOT officials said they will shift the travel lanes in both directions to the right, creating a work zone in the center median. The change in the traffic pattern is expected to be in place for about eight weeks.

The roadwork is part of RIDOT's $35.8 million project to replace the 55-year-old structurally deficient bridge. State officials said crews will use accelerated bridge construction methods to build the new bridge, assembling new bridge decks in the vicinity of the old bridge. At a future date, RIDOT will move them into position using self-propelled module transport units. RIDOT officials said they have used this method successfully several times to rapidly replace bridges with as little disruption to motorists as possible.

The project also includes resurfacing 6.5 miles of Route 1 from the Route 4 split in North Kingstown to the Oliver Stedman Government Center in South Kingstown. Additionally, the current wheelchair ramps at the Bridgetown Road, Mooresfield Road intersection will be upgraded with ADA-compliant ones, and stormwater treatment enhancements will be implemented, RIDOT officials said.

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