Background

On May 22, 2007, RIDOT closed the old walkway on the Washington Bridge. The continuing construction of I-195 on the Washington Bridge, specifically reconstruction of a section of the Exit 4 ramp which passes over Valley Street in East Providence requires that the ramp be closed to both bicyclists and pedestrians. RIDOT had originally expected to close the walkway in July 2006, and postponed it by erecting protective screening between the bike path and the construction area.

The walkway is expected to remain closed for at least 17 months, possibly longer. Recreational bike riders heading south on the East Bay Bike Path are being encouraged to start their rides at one of the path's many parking areas:

• Veterans Memorial Parkway ( 2 parking lots)
  • From I-95 North and South:
    Take Route 195 East to Exit 4 Riverside, continue on Veterans Parkway to the first bike path parking area approximately 1/4 mile on your right. Additional parking area located 1/4 mile south on your right.
    From 195 West:
    Take Exit 6 South Broadway. Take a left turn at the bottom of the exit onto South Broadway, then continue straight on South Broadway for approximately 2 miles to Veterans Memorial Parkway. Turn right onto the Parkway, bike path parking areas will be approximately 1/4 mile and 1/2 mile intervals on your left.
• Riverside Square
  • From I-95 North and South: Take Route 195 East to Exit 4 for Riverside, continue on Veterans Memorial Parkway to its intersection with Pawtucket Ave. Continue straight on Pawtucket Ave., becomes Bullocks Point Ave., bike path parking lot is next to Dari Bee, located in Riverside Square.
• Haines Memorial State Park, Barrington
  • From I-95 North and South: Take Route 195 East to Exit 4 for Riverside, continue on Veterans Memorial Parkway to its intersection with Pawtucket Ave. Continue straight on Pawtucket Ave. becomes Bullocks Point Ave., continue on Bullocks Point Ave. to its intersection with Crescent View Ave., take a left, onto Crescent View Ave. to its intersection with Metropolitan Park Drive, take a right, Haines Park parking area and access to bike path is located approximately 1 mile on your right.
• Independence Park - Bristol
  • From I-95 North and South: Take Route 195 East to Exit 7, Route 114, continue on Route 114 through the towns of Barrington, Warren and Bristol. Independence Park is located on Thames St. just after its intersection with Hope St. (Rte. 114) in Bristol

  Click below to see a bigger version of the area map

  

For commuters

Cycling commuters heading to Providence should consider using the Henderson Bridge, or crossing with their bikes on RIPTA buses (www.ripta.com) which pass over the Washington Bridge, bus routes such as Route 32 West Barrington (schedule inbound, outbound), Route 33 Riverside (inbound, outbound), Route 34 East Providence (inbound, outbound), and Route 60 Providence / Newport (inbound, outbound). Bike racks, as seen in the photo above, are available on all RIPTA buses.

Construction is expected to be complete in October 2008. This project may be followed immediately by construction of a new Washington Bridge Linear Park. The park will feature an 11-foot wide bike path and a separate seven-foot wide walking path. A wide area in the center of the park will offer benches, decorative lighting and plantings that will give riders and walkers a space to pause and admire the view.

The $15 million Linear Park project will preserve a segment of the old Washington Bridge by reusing its historic southern façade. An interactive presentation with multiple views of the new bike path bridge can be found on RIDOT’s web site at http://www.dot.ri.gov/bikeri/WashingtonBridge.