Travel Advisory Update: I-195 Now Open in East Providence

Highway was temporarily closed for Potter Street Bridge Demolition

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced that it has reopened I-195 in both directions in East Providence. The highway had been closed since last night at 10 p.m. for the safe demolition of the Potter Street Bridge, which is part of the Washington Bridge rebuild project. A full reopening was expected by noontime. Eastbound lanes opened at 11 a.m. and westbound lanes started opening at noontime.

RIDOT appreciates everyone's patience, especially the residents and business owners of East Providence, during the closure.

The Potter Street Bridge will be rebuilt over the next 12–18 months to accommodate a wider highway corridor with additional travel lanes on I-195 West. Once complete, the project will provide four continuous westbound travel lanes between the Broadway interchange and the Washington Bridge, along with a fifth lane leading to a new off-ramp at Waterfront Drive. These improvements are expected to help alleviate longstanding congestion on I-195 West, which has historically caused traffic to back up toward the Massachusetts state line.

The closure was necessary to expedite the demolition and limit the overall impact on interstate traffic and the local community. The design of the Potter Street Bridge was such that phased demolition would have required the installation of bracing supports and various lane closures which would have impacted traffic over a much longer period of time than this single closure.

Potter Street Detours

During the Potter Street Bridge closure period, drivers should use the adjacent Purchase Street Bridge to cross over I-195. This will require approximately 1 extra minute of travel time between Warren Avenue and Cobb Street. Pedestrians can follow a shorter detour using School Street, Purchase Street and Freeborn Street. RIDOT expects to reopen the new Potter Street Bridge in summer 2028.

?All construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings, and weather.

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