Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Newport Bridge |
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Pell Bridge from the Jamestown side, 2009
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| Coordinates | 41°30′10.28″N 71°20′21.76″W / 41.5028556°N 71.3393778°W |
| Carries | Four lanes of  Route 138 |
| Crosses | Narragansett Bay |
| Locale | Between Jamestown and Newport, Rhode Island |
| Official name | Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge |
| Maintained by | Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Suspension bridge with deck truss approaches |
| Total length | 11,248 ft (3,428 m) |
| Width | 48 ft (15 m) |
| Height | 400 ft (120 m) |
| Longest span | 1,600 ft (490 m) |
| Clearance below | 206 ft (63 m) at mid-span |
| History | |
| Opened | June 28, 1969 |
| Statistics | |
| Daily traffic | 27,000 |
| Toll | Cars $4.00 per car both ways |
The Claiborne Pell Bridge, often called the Newport Bridge, is a huge suspension bridge. It crosses the East Passage of Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island, which is in the northeastern United States. This bridge is managed by the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority.
The bridge connects the city of Newport (on Aquidneck Island) with the town of Jamestown (on Conanicut Island). It is part of RI 138. The bridge is named after Claiborne Pell, a U.S. senator from Rhode Island who lived in Newport for many years. The Pell Bridge also connects to the mainland through the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge.
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How Big is the Newport Bridge?
The main part of the Newport Bridge is about 488 meters (1,600 feet) long. This makes it one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. It is also the longest suspension bridge in all of New England.
The entire bridge stretches for 3,428 meters (11,247 feet). Its tall towers reach 122 meters (400 feet) above the water. The road itself is as high as 66 meters (215 feet) above the water. The bridge has four lanes for cars, with two lanes going in each direction. On a clear day, you can even see the bridge's towers from far away places like Martha's Vineyard!
Paying to Cross the Bridge
The Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge is a toll bridge. This means you have to pay a fee to drive across it. As of 2015, the cash toll for cars is US$4.00.
You can pay the toll with cash or using an E-ZPass. E-ZPass is an electronic system that lets you pay without stopping. It was started in 2008. If you live in Rhode Island and have a Rhode Island E-ZPass, you get a special discount. You only pay 83 cents to cross! This is a unique discount for local residents.
Bicycles are not allowed on the bridge for safety reasons. However, if you have a bike, you can use Rhode Island Public Transit Authority bus #64. This bus has bike racks and runs on weekdays and Saturdays.
History of the Bridge
The Newport Bridge was built between 1966 and 1969. It cost about US$54,742,000 to build. The company that built it was Parsons, Brinckerhoff, Quade & Douglas.
The bridge officially opened on June 28, 1969, with a big celebration. In 1992, the bridge was renamed after U.S. Senator Claiborne Pell. Even so, many local people still call it the Newport Bridge.
The bridge was even featured on the Rhode Island state quarter coin in 2001!
Running Across the Bridge
For a long time, people were not allowed to run across the bridge. But in the early 1980s, about 300 runners crossed it during a half-marathon event. Then, in 2011, the first Citizens Bank Newport Pell Bridge Run was held. This was the first time in many years that runners could cross the bridge, and it was even closed to traffic for the event!
Modern Toll System
In 2012, the Bridge Authority added "Open Road Tolling" to the Pell Bridge. This means drivers with E-ZPass can go through a special lane at 40 mph without stopping. If you don't have E-ZPass or don't pay, there can be a fine. This new system made crossing the bridge faster for many drivers.
50th Anniversary Celebration
In June 2019, the bridge celebrated its 50th birthday! Many events were held to mark this special occasion. There was a ribbon-cutting ceremony with important people like Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. There were also concerts, boat cruises, and fireworks. A documentary about the bridge's history was even shown on Rhode Island PBS.
How the Bridge Changed the Area
Building the Newport Bridge had a big impact on Conanicut Island, where Jamestown is located. Before the bridge, Jamestown was mostly a "summer-resident town." People could only get there by ferry, and many owned summer homes.
After the bridge was built, Jamestown became a place where more people live year-round. They can easily travel to jobs in other towns. The island's businesses also started to rely more on tourists visiting from other places.
Gallery
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Bridge at twilight
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Bridge at night
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The bridge's representation on the state quarter
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The bridge with a ship passing underneath the main span
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Crossing the bridge
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The bridge viewed from across Conanicut Island
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Bridge during a lightning storm
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Aerial view of bridge
Images for kids
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View of the bridge over Newport
