EAST PROVIDENCE/PROVIDENCE — The Rhode Island Department of Transportation plans to shut down part of Waterfront Drive in city likely for the next several days as the continued demolition of the westbound Washington Bridge span accelerates.

Starting Tuesday night, Sept. 17, at 10 p.m. and lasting until 11 a.m. Monday morning, Sept. 23, will close a section of Waterfront Drive near its junction with Warren Avenue at the Interstate 195 overpass for removal of the bridge deck and beams on the dilapidated structure.

Motorists are being directed to follow a short detour using Valley Street, which runs parallel to Waterfront Drive. RIDOT alerts drivers that a short section of the street will have a gravel riding surface.

For the surrounding residents, RIDOT noted the demolition activities using jackhammers will be limited to daytime hours only, however, work will take place 24 hours a day with other demolition activities taking place during evening hours.

Gano Street
For residents in city and in the East Side and Fox Point neighborhoods of Providence, RIDOT will continue the evening closures of Gano Street, Sunday through Thursday nights from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. also due to the aforementioned bridge deck and beam demolition of the bridge. The closures, which began on September 8, are expected to last for another week.

RIDOT previously announced likely in late September/early October, a weekend-long closure of Gano Street will be necessitated for beam removal.

When Gano Street is closed, drivers will follow a signed detour using India Street, Wickenden Street and South Main and South Water streets. The on-ramp to I-195 West at Gano Street will remain open.

RIDOT included the following caveat in its recent announcements: "All construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings, and weather."

Henderson Bridge
For the rest of the current week, anticipated to end on Friday, Sept. 20, the following traffic modifications are in place in and around the Henderson Bridge project on both sides of the Seekonk River:

In East Providence, the Henderson Expressway from North Broadway to the roundabout is now open to traffic.

In Providence, East River Street/River Drive from Waterman Street to Angell Street, roads will be closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic for demolition of the old structure, daily from 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

In both directions, Providence and East Providence, alternating single lane closures are expected for power washing and miscellaneous work daily from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.