Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge

The Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge is a suspension bridge that stretches 3,428 meters (11,247 feet) across the East Passage of Narragansett Bay, connecting Newport with Jamestown on Conanicut Island. The main towers rise 120 meters (394 feet) above the water and support four traffic lanes that carry thousands of vehicles daily over the bay.

Work on the bridge started in 1966 and required three years of intensive construction involving 200 workers, tugboats, and barges transporting building materials across the water. Completion in 1969 shortened the journey between Newport and Jamestown significantly and eliminated dependence on ferries.

The bridge carries the name of Senator Claiborne Pell since 1992, though many Rhode Island residents still call it Newport Bridge. The naming honors a politician who worked for the region, while the old designation emphasizes its geographic connection.

Vehicles without an E-ZPass transponder pay a toll of 6 dollars when crossing to fund ongoing maintenance and operations. The four lanes on Route 138 allow steady traffic flow, and pedestrians or cyclists are not permitted to use the bridge.

The main span measures 490 meters (1,608 feet) and makes this structure the longest suspension bridge in the New England region. This section between the two main towers allows large ships to pass freely beneath the roadway.

Location: Newport

Inception: June 28, 1969

Official opening: June 28, 1969

Height: 120 m

Length: 3,428 m

Longest Span: 490 m

GPS coordinates: 41.50306,-71.34028

Latest update: December 20, 2025 00:39