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In the 1960s the Pell Bridge and Interchange were completed, however the Route 138 northbound approach was never completed, which would have connected Newport to Route 24 in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Then between 2001 through 2008, the Rhode Island Office of Statewide Planning identified the Aquidneck Island Travel Corridor as a major travel corridor of statewide significance. Long-range goals were established to the year 2020 including:
The Project was reactivated with the Aquidneck Island Transportation Study (AITS) in 2009 and then again in 2017 with the City of Newport's economic plan to create an "Innovation District".
Traffic volumes on the Aquidneck Island bridges and roadways have increased significantly over the past 40 years. This traffic increase is attributable to many factors, including more households spread among different locations on the Island, increasing levels of automobile ownership, changing commuting patterns, and increased tourism. Safety continues to be a major concern of the Island community. These concerns were elevated following several pedestrian fatalities along Island roadways caused in part by the increasing difficulty in safely crossing major streets.
The project is divided into two phases:
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On Thursday night, October 5, we are scheduled to move to the final traffic configuration on Admiral Kalbfus Road, removing the current lanes shifts and opening lanes that had been closed for construction. It will be going from one lane in each direction with turn lanes to two lanes in each direction with turn lanes. To make the change, motorists can expect alternating lane closures on Admiral Kalbfus Road, from the Rotary to Malbone Road/Girard Avenue, and on Halsey Boulevard, from Admiral Kalbfus Road to the JT Connell Connector, from 8 p.m. that evening through 6 a.m. on Friday, October 6. We will be paving the closed section of Admiral Kalbfus Road on Tuesday. This may require some temporary lane shifts during the day to accomplish but no closures. Additionally, we will continue traffic signal work in preparation for the traffic switch, earthwork for the wetland restoration, and ongoing bridge rehabilitation work along Route 138 at the Third Street, Newport Secondary, and the JT Connell Highway overpasses. These operations may require temporary lane shifts along Third Street and JT Connell Highway. |
Click here for the latest lane closure information |