Rhode Island Route 138

Rhode Island Route 138
Fredddie, originally created by Atanamir · Public domain · source
State	RI
Type	RI
Route	138
Length mi	48.7
Established	1923
Direction a	West
Terminus a	Connecticut
Direction b	East
Terminus b	US Route 1 in Newport
Counties	Providence County, Kent County, Washington County

Rhode Island Route 138 is a state highway traversing the northern and southern corridors of Rhode Island. The route connects the Connecticut state line with the coastal city of Newport, serving as a primary link between inland towns and island destinations such as Aquidneck Island and Jamestown. It intersects interstate highways, passes notable crossings including the Pell Bridge span, and forms part of longer regional corridors to Providence and New London.

Route description

The western approach begins at the Connecticut border near Wood River Junction and proceeds eastward through Hopkinton into West Greenwich, intersecting with local arterials that provide access to Exeter and Scituate. Continuing toward the Providence metropolitan area, the highway meets Interstate 95, linking travelers to Middletown and Westerly. East of Cranston and Warwick, the corridor joins approaches to the Newport Pell Bridge span, crossing Narragansett Bay to Jamestown and then to Aquidneck Island where it traverses urban sections of Newport and neighborhoods adjacent to Fort Adams and First Baptist Church. Along its length the route interfaces with highways serving T.F. Green Airport, the Port of Providence, and ferry terminals linking to Long Island Sound and Block Island.

History

Originally designated in the early 20th century during the expansion of numbered routes that included connections to US 1 and feeder roads to I-195, the corridor has evolved through projects influenced by regional planning entities such as the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and metropolitan planning organizations associated with Providence County. Early improvements paralleled developments at the Naval Station Newport and industrial ports like the Providence and Worcester Railroad terminals, while mid‑century upgrades responded to increasing traffic to Narragansett Bay beaches and tourist destinations such as The Breakers and the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The construction of the current Pell Bridge in the 1960s replaced an older causeway and swing bridges, aligning with federal investments influenced by administrations in Washington and transportation policy changes tied to the Federal Highway Act era. Subsequent rehabilitation campaigns addressed structural issues associated with marine exposures, coordinating with agencies dealing with Coastal Zone Management and preservation groups linked to Newport's historic district.

Major intersections

Major junctions provide connectivity to regionally significant routes and facilities, including intersections with US 1 in Newport, junctions with I-95 near East Providence, and connections to I-195 facilitating access to Fall River and New Bedford. Other key crossings include links to Route 4 toward Norwich, junctions with Route 2 serving Pawtucket, and access ramps serving T.F. Green Airport and the Port of Providence. Bridge termini at Jamestown and Aquidneck Island create intermodal connections with ferry services that call on Block Island, New London, and summer routes to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.

Maintenance and improvements

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation oversees regular maintenance, structural inspections, and resurfacing programs funded through state transportation budgets and federal grants administered in coordination with the United States Department of Transportation and regional planning commissions that include representatives from Providence, Westerly, Warwick, and Newport. Capital projects have targeted bridge deck replacements on the Pell Bridge, scour mitigation near Narragansett Bay inlets, and interchange reconfigurations adjacent to Interstate 95 and Interstate 195 to improve safety near commercial centers such as the Providence Place Mall trade area and logistics hubs linked to the Port of Providence and Green Airport. Preservation groups focused on Newport's historic district and environmental organizations connected to Save The Bay have participated in permitting for shoreline work and stormwater upgrades to protect cultural resources like The Breakers and habitats in the Sakonnet River estuary.

Future developments and proposals

Planned initiatives include capacity and safety improvements promoted by metropolitan planning organizations and discussed in public forums held by municipal governments of Cranston, Warwick, and Newport; proposals range from interchange modernization near I-95 and multimodal enhancements at ferry terminals connecting to Block Island, to resilience projects addressing sea level rise in coastal zones adjacent to Narragansett Bay and the Sakonnet River Bridge. Funding discussions have referenced federal infrastructure legislation and grant programs administered by the United States Department of Transportation and state allocations managed by the Rhode Island General Assembly. Stakeholders in preservation, tourism, and freight—representatives from Historic New England, Newport County Chamber of Commerce, and port authorities—continue to evaluate alternatives balancing mobility, heritage conservation, and climate adaptation for corridors serving communities such as Jamestown, Middletown, and Portsmouth.

Category:State highways in Rhode Island