PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Department of Transportation said last week that it planned to begin the rehabilitation of a bridge carrying off-ramp traffic from Exit 4 on Interstate 195 East to Veterans Memorial Parkway in East Providence on Nov. 17. The work will require a partial closure of the exit until summer 2013.

According to a news release, the bridge will be rebuilt at a cost of $2 million, part of the larger project to preserve the old Washington Bridge and transform it into a linear park and bikeway. The 53-year-old bridge carrying exit-ramp traffic is structurally deficient and is partially supported by timber.

The Exit 4 ramp splits in two directions. DOT only will be closing the right lane, which leads to Veterans Memorial Parkway. DOT will maintain access to the left lane, which leads to Route 44.

Motorists on I-195 East will be directed to follow a detour using Exit 8 (Route 1A/Route 114) to Warren Avenue. The detour then turns south onto Pawtucket Avenue and returns to Veterans Memorial Parkway in the vicinity of Bradley Hospital. A detour map is available on DOT’s website at www.dot.ri.gov/travelri/detourmaps.asp. •