Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) Director Peter Alviti announced Monday that the anticipated ferry service, intended to help commuters impacted by the closure of the Washington Bridge westbound, would begin at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 20.

Three ferries have been enlisted to provide departures from both the State Street dock in Bristol and the India Street ferry dock in Providence, every half hour from 6 a.m. until 10 a.m., followed by a break period from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and then resuming each half hour until the last ferry leaves Bristol at 6:30 p.m., and Providence at 7:15 p.m.

The ferries will be able to provide transportation to 1,000 people per hour, according to Alviti. There will be no fee charged the passenger; the estimated $5 million cost will come out of the DOT budget. The provisional plan is to operate this service for the duration of the bridge closure, but officials will monitor numbers and alter the service if it is being underutilized.

Passengers are asked to park at Colt State Park and take a RIPTA shuttle to the ferry dock at State and Thames streets in Bristol. For passengers originating in Providence, there is parking at the India Street ferry dock.

There will be RIPTA shuttles from the dock to Kennedy Plaza and Providence Station. Bikes and scooters will reportedly be allowed on board as well.