Rhode Island Implemented Overnight Road Closures

Bridge construction efforts caused major highway traffic restrictions across Warwick, Cranston, and Providence.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Construction

Isometric editorial illustration of a steel bridge span being lifted by a crane over dark water at night. — The Rhode Island Department of Transportation has initiated scheduled overnight closures on I-95 and I-295 to support the $428 million Washington Bridge construction project. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Rhode Island Department of Transportation has initiated overnight road closures to facilitate the construction of the new Washington Bridge. Work includes foundation development and steel beam placement as part of a multi-year infrastructure project.

Why it matters

The $428 million Washington Bridge project is critical to regional infrastructure, requiring significant traffic disruptions to maintain construction safety and project timelines. Ensuring the new span opens by the 2028 deadline is a top priority for state transportation officials.

The Washington Bridge project operates on a $428 million budget and is slated for completion by November 3, 2028. Walsh Construction currently holds the contract to build the new bridge span.

The players

Rhode Island Department of Transportation

This state agency is responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of Rhode Island's public transportation infrastructure.

Walsh Construction

This company is a major contractor specializing in heavy civil engineering and infrastructure projects across the United States.

The details

Drivers on I-295 and I-95 face scheduled overnight restrictions to allow for in-water construction and bridge inspection activities. The project, which officially began in August 2026, aims to deliver the new bridge span within a two-year timeframe.

Construction of the Washington Bridge began in August 2026.
Overnight highway closures occurred in Cranston and Providence from October 13, 2026, to October 15, 2026.
A shoulder closure on I-295 is scheduled for October 16, 2026.
The project has a contractual completion deadline of November 3, 2028.

Market Landscape

This project aligns with the national trend of prioritizing large-scale structural replacements to modernize aging highway infrastructure. It positions state regulators alongside major firms like Walsh Construction to execute complex, high-stakes transportation upgrades.

Commuters should plan for significant travel delays during the designated closure hours between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. on major highways. Drivers are advised to monitor official traffic alerts for real-time updates on lane availability and detours.

The takeaway

Ongoing construction projects often require complex scheduling adjustments that affect overnight travel efficiency across major transit corridors. Drivers should regularly check state transit resources to mitigate the inconvenience of these unavoidable infrastructure improvements.