Claiborne Pell Bridge

Such a beautiful place to watch sunset if you’re venturing to Newport. There is a toll to cross the bridge.

I used to drive over this bridge almost every day when I commuted to Newport from Providence. Unfortunately, they’ve raised the toll price significantly since then, so I tend to avoid it now, but I still have a lot of love for this bridge.
I spend the most time on this bridge when out-​of-​towners come to visit me. What better way to impress the hell out of your friends and relatives than by showcasing the water of The Ocean State from such a height!?! I only lament that I’m always driving and can’t enjoy the view as safely as my passengers.
Even though bridges sometimes scare me, this one is worth ponying up the cash to cross a couple times a year. I love how they light it up at night, and I love driving across on a beautiful summer day with the windows open. It’s just a stunning piece of engineering and a beautiful way to take in the views. It’s cheaper than a boat ride, people!
So, yes, I will take one point off for the price, but if you have an E-​Z pass, it’s significantly cheaper. It’s worth going over at least once, and then finding a tollfree way to get back home.

The Claiborne Pell Bridge in Rhode Island is also called the Newport Bridge. This is a pretty long suspension bridge that connects the city of Newport with the city of Jamestown.
You have to pay a toll to cross it though. Sorry, no freebies.

This bridge knows how to rob you. If you make a wrong turn you have to pay $ 4 to get past the bridge and another $ 4 to get back out. Aside from that the views were filled with sailboats and a beautiful skyline of houses and trees along the coast. Construction work took up half of the road. I hope the toll fees were of great contribution. ;)

Um von Jamestown nach Newport zu gelangen, mussten wir die Claiborne Pell Bridge befahren. Die im Jahre 1969 fertiggestellte Hängebrücke wird auch gerne als Newport Bridge bezeichnet. Sie verbindet die Städte Newport auf Aquidneck Island und Jamestown auf Conanicut Island.
Auf den vier Fahrspuren hat man eine wunderschöné Aussicht auf die Bucht, die man allerdings in beiden Richtungen mit einer Maut von 4, — $ bezahlen muss. Die Brücke ist angeblich die einzige Mautstraße in Rhode Island. Allerdings habe ich in New York viel mehr für viel schlechtere Brücken bezahlt.
Gerne hätte ich von der wunderschönen Aussicht ein paar Bilder gemacht, es gibt aber auf der Brücke keine Haltemöglichkeiten. Auf der Seite von Newport konnte ich von einem Steg aus, die Dimensionen der Brücke mit meiner Kamera festhalten.
Als Fußgänger oder Radfahrer kann man die Brücke leider nicht überqueren. Wenn man ohne Auto rüber möchte, kann man lediglich mit einem Linienbus die Brücke überwinden.
Eine wirklich schöné Brücke. Nur schade, dass man hier Maut bezahlen muss.

crossing the bridges to go to work is costing me an arm and leg. I need to save my money for the bars every night.

I will look at it, but not pay $ 8.

Two stars for an $ 8 round trip toll. I mean, it’s a lovely bridge and I’m sure it cost a squillion dollars to build but that was forty years ago. Does it really cost this much to maintain and recover the investment? I would think not. I did see that EZPass holders who are Rhode Island residents get a much discounted toll so it’s great to soak the tourists. Well done, RI.
If you pop off the road before taking the toll, there’s a small parking area where you can walk down to the water and get some great pictures of the sailboats in the harbor.
It’s worth noting that this bridge is pictured on the back of Rhode Island’s quarter (25 cent piece for you foreigners).

1) on the approach to Newport open all car windows and the sunroof. Enjoy the fresh air.
2) have a drink at Pineapple’s, the bar between pool and sea at the Goat Island Hotel (whatever it is these days… a Hilton? I can’t keep track). BEST view of the bridge in town.
3) as you leave enjoy the sunset and be sad you’re leaving Newport.
An extra tip — Castle Hill also has an amazing view.
Another extra tip — make sure you see it lit up at night.

Boohoo, there’s a toll!
Big deal… the view is worth it! I’ve been driving over this bridge as long as I can remember, and it is beautiful! Do yourself a favor and drive from Newport to Jamestown at sunset. You’re welcome.
I miss the old, bulky tokens you used to have to throw into the baskets before you’d be allowed to cross. Easy Pass is cool but not nearly as badass. even in the fast lane.
A RI landmark and a definite must-​drive-​over.

EZPass is 83 cents a trip for RI residents. They also have a high speed EZPass lane. Expansion joints are bumpy.
As I am not a very good swimmer, so this bridge will be how I will getting to Newport.

nice bridge but $ 4 each way is ridiculous

Yeah, it costs $ 4 to go over it, but the Claiborne Pell Bridge is so magnificent, so striking and has such beautiful views, it’s wroth every penny. Truth.
I love going over this monster. I never fail to be impressed by the size of the towers, constructed by Bethlehem Steel over half a century ago. Looking up at them almost distracts from the panoramic view of the harbors it flies over and the gorgeous land it connects. Stunning.
The bridge has quite an interesting history, of course: it took over 40 re-​drawn plans to get all parties involved on board, because the townspeople, the Navy, and the state were all involved… and I’m glad they were, because not only does the bridge NOT interfere with it’s surroundings, it adds to the elegance of the area, and provides a fabulous view!

Nice bridge. Be warned. It costs $ 4 to enter Newport, and another $ 4 to leave Newport. ZOIKS!