Bridge causing traffic troubles

BARRINGTON, RI (WPRI) - A Barrington bridge is causing traffic troubles.

The White Church Bridge has had a 15 ton weight limit for several years.

Now that's causing a new headache for the school department, following the addition of a fleet of new buses.

This brings up serious concerns of safety for the students.

At 15 tons, Cars can easily pass over what is best known as the white church bridge in Barrington.

But the school department quickly found out most new school buses were over the limit and not allowed the cross the bridge, which meant longer rides to and from school for students as drivers take different routes.

The school department says they're looking at changing bus stops and routes in an effort to get kids home more quickly.

The Department of Transportation has also put restrictions on the fire department.

Some engines are allowed to cross the bridge going to an emergency, but must take a longer route back to the station.

But the DOT won't let others go across the bridge going to or coming from an emergency, because they say it is simply too heavy.

The bridge is in such bad shape the DOT plans to build a new bridge to the north of the existing one, beginning in the spring.

However, construction will take two years and that will mean, for kids and the firefighters, nothing will change anytime soon.

The school department says they plan to have the new routes and stops finalized next week.