Newport Pell Bridge
The Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge in Newport, Rhode Island, United States, a suspension bridge that connects Newport and Jamestown, crossing the Narragansett Bay. It was built in 1969 and is featured on the reverse of the Rhode Island quarter. CC-BY-SA-3.0/Matt H. Wade at Wikipedia Matt H. Wade - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:UpstateNYer Creative Commons: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ Credit: CC-BY-SA-3.0/Matt H. Wade at Wikipedia / Matt H. Wade

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation has issued several travel advisories for Newport County, effective from October 26 to November 1, 2024. Motorists should anticipate potential delays and adjust their routes accordingly.

In Newport, mobile operations will continue at the Pell Bridge approaches, with minimal traffic impact expected as crews finalize electrical and signage installations. Additionally, weekday lane closures will be in effect on Route 138, from the Pell Bridge to Admiral Kalbfus Road, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. for landscaping and bridge work.

Tiverton commuters should be aware of alternating one-way traffic on Route 77 (Main Road), between Bridgeport Road and Highland Road, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, due to curb and sidewalk work.

The Rhode Island Turnpike & Bridge Authority has also announced lane closures for the Newport Claiborne Pell Bridge, Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge, Route 138 Connector, Mount Hope Bridge, and Sakonnet River Bridge from October 27 to November 2, 2024.

Westbound drivers on the Claiborne Pell Bridge should expect a left lane closure at the new toll gantry from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., October 28 to November 1.

Mount Hope Bridge will experience shifting lane closures from October 28 to November 1, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Sakonnet River Bridge will experience northbound and southbound right lane closures on October 30, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., followed by northbound and southbound left lane closures on October 31, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

No lane closures are currently planned for the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge or Route 138 Connector.

All schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. Newport County travel advisories for October 26 – November 1, 2024, include:

• Newport Pell Bridge Approaches – Phase II: Mobile operations sitewide with minimal impact to travel to complete electrical and signage installations.

• Rte. 138, from the Pell Bridge to Admiral Kalbfus Rd., alternating lane closures for landscaping and miscellaneous bridge work, Mondays, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

• Tiverton: Rte. 77 (Main Rd.), from Bridgeport Rd. to Highland Rd., alternating one-way traffic for curb and sidewalk work, Mondays – Fridays, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Newport County travel advisories for October 27 – November 2 include:

• Newport Claiborne Pell Bridge: Westbound Left Lane Closure at New Toll Gantry, 10/28 to 11/1, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Mount Hope Bridge: Shifting Lane Closures, 10/28 to 11/1, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020). He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide. Ryan...