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Governor McKee Announces Tractor-Trailer Travel Ban, State Government Closure Ahead of Tuesday Storm

In anticipation of an impending winter storm scheduled to hit tomorrow, Governor Dan McKee has signed an executive order to implement a tractor-trailer travel ban and to shut down the State government on Tuesday. The Governor is also strongly advising Rhode Islanders to refrain from traveling, particularly between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

“We are strongly urging Rhode Islanders to stay off the roads during the snowstorm tomorrow to allow the plows to do their job,” emphasized Governor Dan McKee. “We are encouraging businesses and employers to give their employees as much flexibility as possible.”

Effective from midnight until further notice, tractor-trailers will be prohibited on all interstate highways and state roads. This travel restriction has been coordinated closely with neighboring states, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York.

Meteorological forecasts indicate that light snow is expected to commence between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Tuesday, with the heaviest snowfall predicted between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Accumulation is estimated to range from 3 to 14 inches across different parts of the state.

Governor McKee convened his cabinet earlier today to coordinate the state’s storm response, outlining the following preparations:

• The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will deploy plow crews three hours before the expected storm start time to pre-treat roads. RIDOT has increased resources, with 450 plows available and a fully stocked inventory of 60,000 tons of salt. Additional tow trucks are on standby to swiftly clear any disabled vehicles in the Washington Bridge bypass lanes.
• The Office of Energy Resources is in close contact with Rhode Island Energy (RIE) and the state’s delivered fuel terminals to monitor the storm’s impact on power and fuel supplies. RIE is bolstering its efforts with 75 external line crews and 80 forestry teams for prompt power restoration and assistance with downed trees.
• The Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) is coordinating with local emergency management agencies to ensure communities have necessary support in place. RIEMA will provide situational updates to state government, municipalities, and other partners throughout the storm. A list of local warming centers can be found at RIEMA.RI.GOV.
• The Department of Housing is activating emergency pop-up shelters in addition to the existing shelter network. Details can be found at RIEMA.RI.GOV, including locations in Newport, Peace Dale (South Kingstown), Providence, Westerly, West Warwick, and Woonsocket.
• Rhode Island State Police is prepared with additional troopers stationed across the state to assist motorists wherever needed.

Residents are advised to stay tuned to official channels for updates and adhere to safety measures during this winter weather event.

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Tractor-trailer travel ban in effect for Tuesday, state government also closed

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Governor Dan McKee has signed an executive order ahead of the winter storm that’s expected tomorrow. The order implements a tractor-trailer travel ban and shuts down the State government for Tuesday. The Governor is strongly urging Rhode Islanders to avoid going out on the roads, especially between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesday, for their own safety.

“We are strongly urging Rhode Islanders to stay off the roads during the snowstorm tomorrow to allow the plows to do their job,” said Governor Dan McKee. “We are encouraging businesses and employers to give their employees as much flexibility as possible.”  

From midnight until further notice, tractor-trailers will be prohibited on all interstate highways and state roads. This travel restriction was made in close coordination with Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York. 

The latest models predict that light snow will begin between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Tuesday, with the heaviest snowfall occurring between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Tuesday. We are expecting snowfall totals to range from 3 to 14 inches across various parts of the state. 

Earlier today, Governor McKee convened his cabinet to coordinate the state’s storm response. Here is how Rhode Island is preparing: 

• The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT)  will have plow crews reporting for duty three hours ahead of the expected storm start time to pre-treat roads. RIDOT has  450  plows available for the storm, an increase in resources from previous winter seasons. RIDOT is fully stocked with  60,000 tons of salt . There will also be extra tow trucks on standby to quickly clear any potential disabled vehicles in the Washington Bridge bypass lanes.
• The Office of Energy Resources  is in contact with Rhode Island Energy (RIE) and the state’s delivered fuel terminals to closely monitor the storm’s impact on power and fuel supplies across the state. RIE is adding  75 external line crews  on top of their  50 internal line crews  to support swift power restoration efforts. RIE is also bringing in  more than 80 forestry teams  to help with downed trees and other vegetation. RIE will open its storm room at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning.
• Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA)  is in communication with local emergency management agencies across the state to ensure communities have the necessary support in place. RIEMA will coordinate situational updates to state government, municipalities, and other partners throughout the storm. RIEMA’s list of local warming centers can be found at  RIEMA.RI.GOV .
• The Department of Housing  is activating its emergency pop-up shelters that will be open to Rhode Islanders in need. These locations are in addition to the state’s existing shelter network. Details can be found at  RIEMA.RI.GOV . 
• Newport:  MLK Community Center, 20 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Blvd, Newport, RI 02840 
• Peace Dale (South Kingstown):  Welcome House, 8 North Rd, Peace Dale, RI 02879 
• Providence:  Crossroads RI Community Room, 160 Broad St, Providence, RI 02903 
• Westerly:  WARM Center, 56 Spruce St, Westerly, RI 02891
• West Warwick:  West Warwick Civic Center, 100 Factory St, West Warwick, RI 02893
• Woonsocket:  55 Cummings Way, Woonsocket, RI 02895

Rhode Island State Police  is prepared with additional troopers across the state ready to assist motorists wherever needed.

Ryan Belmore

Ryan Belmore is the Owner and Publisher of What'sUpNewp, an award-winning local news website he has been involved with since shortly after its launch in 2012. Under his leadership, What'sUpNewp was named Best Local News Blog in Rhode Island by Rhode Island Monthly readers in 2018, 2019, and 2020, and has been awarded several grants and awards from national news organizations.

A native Rhode Islander, Ryan spent 38 years living in the state and made Newport his home for over a decade. In 2021, he moved to Alexandria, Virginia, to support his wife’s career in Washington D.C., but continues to travel to Newport every month, overseeing What'sUpNewp's team of 12+ on-the-ground contributors and ensuring it remains a trusted local news source.

Ryan has served on the boards of several prominent local organizations, including the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County, Fort Adams Trust, Lucy’s Hearth, and Potter League for Animals. An award-winning journalist and editor, he continues to build What'sUpNewp as a nonpartisan, independent news outlet that adheres to the highest ethical standards, including those of the Society of Professional Journalists, Online News Association, and Local Independent Online News Publishers.

Contact Ryan at [email protected] or 401-662-1653.

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Rhode Island implements tractor-trailer travel ban during snowstorm

by NBC 10 NEWS

CRANSTON, R.I. (WJAR) — Gov. Dan McKee told Rhode Islanders to prepare for snow on Tuesday.

"Snow is coming," he said, adding that residents should anticipate travel restrictions.

McKee signed an executive order Monday that bans tractor-trailers on interstate highways and state roads beginning at midnight. A decision to lift it will be made when conditions improve.

The governor said Rhode Islanders should stay off the roads, particularly between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

“We are strongly urging Rhode Islanders to stay off the roads during the snowstorm tomorrow to allow the plows to do their job," McKee said in a release. “We are encouraging businesses and employers to give their employees as much flexibility as possible.”

He also said state government will be closed Tuesday.

The governor led a briefing from the Emergency Management Agency headquarters.

McKee said the state will have 450 plows and 60 tons of salt ready to be deployed. Roadways will be treated about three hours before the storm.

He added that the state has extra details at the Washington Bridge.

• STORM TEAM 10: Classic nor'easter impacts travel with heavy snow Tuesday

McKee said he's been in contact with the governors of Massachusetts and Connecticut to coordinate responses.

"We’re going to make sure that we have the equipment there to make sure that that is clear, and I think the plowing will work and also we’ll have to make sure that we’re keeping that as clear as possible," McKee said.

He said Rhode Island Energy is bringing in 75 line crews from out of state to help with any potential power outages.

State Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green said school closures will be up to individual districts.

Providence Public Schools said it will be closed Tuesday .

The state Department of Housing is activating emergency pop-up shelters, and warming centers are also available in cities and towns across the state.

They are listed on the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency website.

Interstate Navigation said all departures of the Block Island Ferry for Tuesday have been canceled because of the storm.

The reservation office will also be closed.

NBC 10's Joanna Bouras contributed to this report.