PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — In an effort to ease congestion caused by the closure of the westbound side of the Washington Bridge, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will be updating the traffic pattern over the next few months.

RIDOT Director Peter Alviti and other state leaders held a news conference Wednesday to lay out their plans, which include adding a third travel lane in both directions.

The westbound side of the bridge was abruptly shut down on Dec. 11 after an engineer discovered significant structural issues. This caused substantial traffic backups on I-195 between Providence and East Providence, as well as in the surrounding neighborhoods that were used as detours.

Find the full story at wpri.com.