Rhode Island Washington Bridge Now Has 3 Lanes But Is It Better?

This message is for the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and its decision to put three lanes on the westbound side of the Washington Bridge.

I am a Warwick, Rhode Island, resident who commutes to Fairhaven, Massachusetts, Monday through Friday. For the past four months, I have been a victim of the Washington Bridge fiasco.

I have been diligently reading the headlines and watching news reports of how RIDOT seemingly found the bridge unfit to use in December and scrambled for solutions, all the while I was idling in my Nissan in gridlock traffic for every ride home from Fairhaven, wondering how the state could allow this bridge to get to this point.

Get our free mobile app

On Monday, April 22, it was the first commute day for me and many others with three lanes now available on the westbound side.

When the news broke that three lanes would be implemented, I had my doubts.

How would it even be plausible? Will the lanes be big enough to even drive through?

My first commute day is in the books, and I have two simple words for you.

THANK YOU.

While I still believe that someone needs to be held accountable for this serious failure, whoever came up with this three-lane plan deserves a raise.

Last week, it took me 90 minutes to get from Fairhaven to Warwick. On Monday, it took me the standard 45 minutes, and I was on the verge of happy tears.

I'm not alone.

"Way better," said Tia Crystal.

"Pretty smooth," said Denis Lawrence.

Rhode Island and Massachusetts commuters still deserve answers to this dilemma, and we hope for a speedy solution, but in the meantime, the three lanes have provided the congestion relief that I have been craving for months.

To my fellow commuters, may your drive to work be a little more peaceful this week.

Better days are ahead.

Drivers Vent After Closure of Rhode Island's Washington Bridge

We were all thinking it, but these commuters actually said it. Now that the westbound side of the Washington Bridge is closed for the immediate future, drivers flocked to the RIDOT Facebook page to let their feelings be known. Here are some of the responses that are safe for work.

Gallery Credit: Maddie Levine

When the New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge Is Closed, Do This to Pass the Time

The New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge closes. A lot. Here's how to pass the time when you didn't check the schedule and find yourself stuck waiting for the bridge to open. These fun suggestions come from our Facebook friends and appear exactly as they submitted them.

Gallery Credit: Jackson Scott

Not-So-Rave Reviews for Fall River's Braga Bridge

Love it or hate, most drivers on the SouthCoast use it several times a week. Now some of them have taken to Google to review their experience on Fall River's Braga Bridge.

Gallery Credit: Nancy Hall

Source: Rhode Islander’s Two-Word Message After Another Change on the Washington Bridge