PROVIDENCE, R.I. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation has issued weight restrictions for two bridges on major routes -- the Pawtucket River Bridge on Interstate 95 and the Sakonnet River Bridge on State Route 24 - that could impact motorcoach operators.

The restriction on the Pawtucket River Bridge on I-95, between exits 27 and 28, is 18 tons. Fines are steep for violations -- $3,000 for the first violation and $5,000 for subsequent violations.

To re-route: If traveling northbound through Rhode Island and not stopping north of Warwick, take I-295 North which bypasses Providence and Pawtucket. It rejoins I-95 in Attleboro, Mass.

If destinations are further north, simply continue on I-95; if your destination is the cape, other points east or west, I-95 intersects with I-495 at Exit 6 on I-95 near Mansfield.

For southbound, just reverse.

Another option for points east is to continue on I-95 North through Warwick and into Providence and taking I-195 East to Fall River, New Bedford and the cape. However, there is construction on that road and traffic can be intense.

If visiting Providence or Pawtucket and you do not wish to backtrack south to I-295, visit the following Web page for routing through Pawtucket streets: http://www.dot.ri.gov/traffic/bridge550.html.

The weight restriction on the Sakonnet River Bridge, which connects Tiverton and Portsmouth (en route to and from Newport), is 22 tons.

Empty coaches may use the bridge, but full buses must use alternate routes. Fines have not been announced for Sakonnet Bridge but the best guess is they will be the same.

To re-route, use the Mount Hope Bridge which connects Bristol and Portsmouth, or use Routes 95, 4, 1 and 138.

For example: A coach coming from the cape and heading to Newport can either take I-195 west, then 136 south (through Swansea, Warren and Bristol) go over the Mount Hope Bridge and connect with either 138 or 114 to continue to Newport.

Or, a coach can follow I-195 west to Providence, then take I-95 south to Route 4 south, which connects with Route 1 south, then follow Route 138 east over the Jamestown and Newport bridges. More information and a map may be found at: http://www.dot.ri.gov/traffic/Sakonnetdetour.html.

The Rhode Island DOT Website is at: http://www.dot.ri.gov/.

The bridges are being replaced for safety reasons.

The bridge information was provided to the motorcoach industry by the tourism division of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corp.