Mt. Hope Bridge drivers face more delays

PORTSMOUTH/BRISTOL — Motorists who have already endured months of lane closures on the Mt. Hope Bridge will have their patience tested again, this time well into the night.

Beginning Monday, Oct. 19, alternating lane closures will be in effect from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., Monday through Friday, through Nov. 6, according to the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority.

And that's in addition to the daytime restrictions drivers have already grown accustomed to.

Alternating lane closures will continue from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays.

That means on a typical Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, both lanes will be open simultaneously for just eight hours out of 24 — from 5 to 9 a.m. and again from 3 to 7 p.m.

On Fridays, motorists will have 10 hours of unrestricted travel between 5 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday's schedule allows more unrestricted travel before the first overnight closure begins.

Town Administrator Richard Rainer Jr. announced the additional nighttime work during Tuesday's town council meeting, saying the town had received notice from the state earlier that afternoon.

The restrictions are associated with ongoing work to preserve the 97-year-old suspension bridge, including a $27 million project to protect its cables and anchorages from corrosion.

Motorists should expect delays and allow extra time when traveling between Portsmouth and Bristol.