PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt is visiting Rhode Island on Monday to tour the Washington Bridge while local officials test a new traffic pattern aimed at alleviating congestion.
It’s the first weekday commute after the R.I. Department of Transportation (RIDOT) reduced the number of lanes on I-195 West from three to two near the East Shore Expressway entrance in East Providence.
RIDOT said traffic modeling conducted by engineers showed that creating a merge at that point of the highway should reduce travel time.
RELATED: RIDOT testing new traffic pattern on I-195 West
All this while Bhatt will see the bridge in person as the investigation into the infrastructure failure continues.
After the tour, Gov. Dan McKee, Bhatt, and state officials will hold a brief media availability around noon to discuss the bridge.
It’s been nearly two months since the westbound side of the Washington Bridge was abruptly shut down , and it continues to be a headache for drivers, as well as people who live and work in the area.