After several ham-handed missteps in recent months, it appears state officials finally came upon a meaningful and immediate response to the Washington Bridge closure debacle with the creation of three traffic lanes heading due west on the eastbound portion of the structure.

Up from the two lanes creates about two months into the crisis which began with the complete shuttering of the westbound side on December 11 of last year, the third lane of travel from the East Providence/East Bay side of the bridge towards Providence on Interstate 195 became available to drivers as of Saturday, April 20.

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation made the announcement Thursday afternoon, April 18, that the latest attempt to ease congestion on the I-195 corridor connecting the East Bay with the rest of the state would be ready for use by the weekend. Crews worked on Friday night, April 19, into the early morning hours Saturday, April 20, to finish the conversion.

The change was first broached during a late February press event held by Gov. Dan McKee and RIDOT Director Peter Alviti. The director said it would take approximately eight weeks to convert the still relatively new and separate east side of the bridge complex into six lanes of travel, three in each direction.

With the implementation of the three-lane configuration, the lanes have been narrowed from 12 feet to 10 feet. Trucks are restricted to the far-right lane in each direction, which will be 11 feet wide, with RIDOT having posted signage that trucks must use that lane only. The speed limit on I-195 through the bypass lanes in both directions will be reduced to 40 mph.

Because of the three-lane configuration eastbound, traffic entering the highway from South Water Street and India Street in Providence will need to yield when entering the highway. This may cause delays for motorists using this ramp to enter onto I-195 East during rush hour.

Thursday's press release concluded with the following, "RIDOT urges drivers to stay in their lane, avoid distractions, and be kind to one another."

The general consensus of motorists who regularly use the bridge is that the third lane heading west has certainly helped reduce congestion significantly at peak travel hours in the morning and afternoon each day, which at their worst meant sitting on I-195 for upwards of 90 minutes.

While the westerly traffic is much better, those heading east earlier this week have been seen their travel times increase because of the changes. The asphalt on the east side of the bridge has been milled in preparation for repaving and new markings, making for a bumpy and slower ride at the moment.

"We're pleased by it. As governor I'm going to try to reduce that travel time when we repave and put the improvements there. We're optimistic, but we still have to make sure we're focusing on the accidents," McKee told the gathered media during a press avail on Monday afternoon, April 22.

Small biz fund

Earlier Monday, McKee also announced a scheme to use some of the state's leftover federal COVID 19 pandemic relief monies to support local businesses.

McKee intends to split $1.3 million between East Providence ($600,000), Providence ($400,000) and other affected muncipalities to set up a fund supporting those proprietors struggling due to the bridge crisis.

The fund would alter McKee's Fiscal Year budget submitted to the General Assembly and would need the backing of both chambers to be enacted.

Bridge happenings this week

Construction on the east side of the bridge is set to continue overnight Sunday-Friday nights, April 26-28, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Drivers can expect alternating lane closures as the project to mill, pave and stripe on both directions of I-195 through the crossover, from South Main Street to the Washington Bridge. RIDOT will also reconfigure existing barrier and install signage.

Henderson Bridge notes

As noted previously, while the Washington Bridge crisis has lingered, RIDOT's total replacement and demolition of the Henderson Bridge connecting East Providence with the east side of Providence has run along rather smoothly.

This week, daytime curbing and drainage installation is scheduled, requiring alternating lane closures on the Henderson Bridge, from South Angell Street to Waterman Avenue in Providence, through Friday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. In EP, shoulder closures for drainage, curbing and sidewalk will occur for tyhe installation on Massasoit Avenue, from Dexter Street to Waterman Avenue, including the roundabout, during the same time period.

RIDOT expects to continue to demolish the existing Henderson Bridge while planning to resume paving operations at the end of the month at the Henderson Parkway, Massasoit Avenue and Waterfront Drive.