WCS Permits & Pilot Cars - Oversize Load Permits

WCS PERMITS & PILOT CARS

888.PERMIT.3

WCS PERMITS & PILOT CARS

888.PERMIT.3
Order Pilots
Order Permits
Permit Portal Login

Pages

Categories

Washington Bridge in Rhode Island Closed

Washington Bridge in Rhode Island Closed

The westbound side of the I-195 Washington Bridge was closed abruptly this week due to the critical failure of some bridge components, the Rhode Island DOT announced.

Washington Bridge in Rhode Island Closed
Washington Bridge, Photo by RIDOT

Repairs could take three months or longer to complete, according to RIDOT.

RIDOT opened two bypass lanes on the east bound side of the Washington Bridge as of early morning on December 15, 2023.

This temporary traffic pattern will allow two lanes of travel westbound and two lanes of travel eastbound – all operating on the eastbound Washington Bridge.

RIDOT will reopen most ramps that had been closed. However, the Gano Street off-ramp (Exit 1D) will remain closed as will the on-ramps to I-195 West from Veterans Memorial Parkway and Taunton Avenue. RIDOT will continue to maintain passage on the westbound bridge for emergency vehicles only.

Recommended Detours

The following recommended detours and alternate routes may be used:

Local traffic in East Providence: Use the Henderson Bridge and rejoin I-195 West at Gano Street.

Southeast Massachusetts west of Fall River, MA: Take Massachusetts Exit 1 and follow Route 114A to Route 44 West. Follow onto Route 114 (Pawtucket Avenue) or Route 1A (Newport Avenue) to I-95. This is the preferred routes for trucks.

Southeast Massachusetts east of Fall River, MA (including traffic coming from Cape Cod and the New Bedford Area): Take Massachusetts Exit 14B to Route 24 North. Follow to I-495 North to I-95.

What Caused the Critical Bridge Failure?

According to RIDOT, the Washington Bridge carries 96,000 vehicles daily, including commercial trucks. 

They said some pins had broken and caused the bridge to begin swaying. “The failure is such that it could potentially be the cause of a catastrophic failure,” RIDOT Director Peter Alviti said. “So we’re having to act on that.”

Alviti said a collapse could have occurred had the damage not been caught. According to Alviti, the bridge’s last inspection was two months ago, and at that time, there wasn’t yet an issue.

WCS Permits & Pilot Cars - Oversize Load Permits

WCS Permits & Pilot Cars is North America’s oversize load permit authority. 

Phone: 888-737-6483

Services
About WCS
Stay Connected

Follow us on social media for the latest industry news, company updates & more.

Facebook X-twitter Youtube Instagram Linkedin

Copyright 2026 © WCS Permits & Pilot Cars. All Rights Reserved. | Site by Creative Touch Comm