News Summary
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation has announced a temporary closure of Elmwood Avenue at the Route 10 overpass for bridge construction. The closure will take place from 11 p.m. October 17 until 2 p.m. October 18. Detours will be in effect for both northbound and southbound traffic. This closure is part of ongoing construction efforts addressing the Washington Bridge’s critical failures, which have resulted in significant traffic disruptions and economic challenges for local businesses.
Providence, Rhode Island – The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) has announced a temporary closure of Elmwood Avenue at the Route 10 overpass scheduled to take place from 11 p.m. on October 17, 2023, until approximately 2 p.m. on October 18, 2023. This closure will affect traffic in both directions as construction crews install pre-fabricated bridge beams on the new Route 10 bridge’s footings.
To accommodate the work, RIDOT has outlined a series of detours for motorists. Northbound drivers on Elmwood Avenue should take Park Avenue eastbound, turn right onto Route 10 northbound, and then exit at Elmwood Avenue. For southbound traffic, drivers will need to take Route 10 northbound, reverse direction at I-95, and proceed to the Elmwood Avenue exit. Additionally, those traveling from I-95 North to Roger Williams Park should take Exit 33B for Elmwood Avenue and turn right at the end of the ramp to access Elmwood Avenue southbound, or alternatively, use the park entrance near Park View Middle School in Cranston. Meanwhile, drivers approaching from I-95 South will not be impacted by the closure when accessing the park.
The necessity of this closure stems from the ongoing challenges surrounding the Washington Bridge in Providence, which will soon be replaced after deficient anchor rods were discovered. These structural failures have resulted in litigation involving various contractors, with Barletta and Aetna Bridge among the 13 companies sued by RIDOT in 2024 for alleged negligence in managing the bridge’s condition prior to rehabilitation efforts.
On a daily basis, the westbound Washington Bridge accommodates approximately 133,000 vehicles. However, the bridge faced an emergency closure due to critical failures detected by engineers. Since the closure on December 11, 2023, residents from East Providence and neighboring areas have reported significant disruptions to their daily commutes, affecting local businesses and economies. This situation has led to noticeable declines in customer traffic for nearby enterprises and an increase in unemployment filings among those directly affected.
The state has recognized the need to address the related economic challenges; among its responses, RIDOT launched a free ferry service connecting Bristol and Providence, although the service had to be discontinued due to low ridership rates. Federal investigations are also underway, focusing on the state’s expenditure of infrastructure funds connected to the Washington Bridge.
Efforts are being made to secure funding for the replacement of the Washington Bridge, with state officials having received $125 million through the Mega Grant program, along with additional federal grants aimed at rebuilding initiatives. However, the ongoing lawsuits and investigations complicate matters, raising serious questions about accountability for the bridge’s deteriorated conditions prior to its closure.
Many residents and business owners have voiced concerns regarding the need for improved communication and transparency from state officials concerning both bridge safety and the overall integrity of the infrastructure. As work progresses on the new Route 10 bridge, the temporary closure of Elmwood Avenue is just one aspect of the larger ongoing efforts to enhance safety and reliability for Rhode Island’s vital transportation links.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Fire Contained at Cranston Mill Complex
Comprehensive Reconstruction of Providence Bridges Begins
Additional Resources
- ENR: Firms Countersue Rhode Island DOT Over Washington Bridge Closure
- Google Search: Rhode Island Department of Transportation
- WPRI: Key Moments Since the Washington Bridge Closed
- Wikipedia: Providence, Rhode Island
- Turn to 10: Washington Bridge Closure Impact
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bridge
- KGW: Providence Bridge Pedal List of Closures
- Google News: Washington Bridge Closure
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
