Rhode Island Truck Bans & Hazmat Routes

Where Rhode Island keeps trucks out

Rhode Island has no cars-only parkway. Your risk here is posted bridges. Providence's Washington Bridge (I-195) has run under emergency weight limits and closures since December 2023, and structures like the Henderson Bridge and Cranston's Park Avenue underpass post low height and width plates. RIDOT keeps a statewide truck and bridge restriction list. No state tunnel bans hazmat; follow the Interstate and posted routes under 49 CFR 397.

Key restrictions

• Providence's Washington Bridge (I-195) has run under emergency weight limits and closures since Dec 2023; check current RIDOT status.
• Henderson Bridge (East Providence) and the Park Ave railroad underpass (Cranston) restrict height and width.
• No cars-only parkways, but posted bridge plates are enforced.
• Run a truck GPS with your loaded height; do not trust a car app.

• Parkway / road ban: No parkway-style commercial ban. Rhode Island's issue is posted low and weight-restricted bridges, not cars-only roads. RIDOT publishes a statewide truck and bridge restriction list.
• Hazmat: No state tunnel hazmat ban. Placarded loads default to the Interstate and follow state-designated or preferred routes under 49 CFR 397 and the FMCSA registry.
• Through-truck routes: Follow RIDOT truck routes and the posted bridge weight and height limits. Providence-area streets post local weight limits; obey the plate on each structure. STAA reasonable-access sets the floor for the National Network.
• Fine: Overweight and posted-bridge violations run on RIDOT's oversize/overweight and posted-structure penalty schedule; amounts scale with how far over the posted limit you are. Confirm the current figure with RIDOT before you rely on it.

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