Trucking Laws · Rhode Island · October 25, 2026

Rhode Island Bans Semis on Part of Greenville Avenue Over One Turn

Drivers running through northern Rhode Island have a new restriction to watch for. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation has installed signs banning large trucks on part of Greenville Avenue in Smithfield, according to The Local Insider News.

The outlet reported the change Oct. 23, saying the signs went up on Friday.

Which trucks and where

The ban covers WB50 class vehicles, those with a wheelbase of 50 feet, commonly referred to as semitrucks or tractor-trailers, according to the report.

It applies to the stretch of Greenville Avenue between Newport Creamery on Route 44 and Sanderson Road, which is Route 5, near the Smithfield and Johnston line.

What the study found

In July, the State Traffic Commission took up the question of whether truck restrictions were needed, at the request of local legislators and officials, The Local Insider News reported. Sean Raymond of RIDOT said a traffic study evaluated pavement conditions and roadway geometry, including truck turning templates.

According to a synopsis of the July meeting quoted by the outlet, "the study indicated 1 percent of the vehicles traveling along the roadway are trucks and the condition of the pavement is good." Neither the share of trucks nor the pavement condition would warrant a truck exclusion on its own, according to the synopsis.

The turn that decided it

The deciding factor was a single corner. Truck drivers making a right turn from Putnam Pike eastbound onto Greenville Avenue southbound are unable to make the turn without mounting the sidewalk, according to the synopsis. Based on that, the State Traffic Commission approved the truck exclusion.

Why residents pushed for it

State Sen. David Tikoian, who was among those who advocated for the change, called it good news for residents in the area, according to the report.

Tikoian said that when the state added new Exit 10 ramps to serve the Citizens Bank campus, traffic on Greenville Avenue increased greatly, and drivers began cutting through the stretch from Route 5 to Newport Creamery. He said it became even worse during truck tolls.

"I'm grateful that the study found that it's not safe," Tikoian said.

Know before you go

For statewide rules, the truck laws by state guide covers speed limits, chain laws and idling rules, and the truck stop and weigh station map can help with route planning.

A question for readers

Trucks were only about 1 percent of traffic, but one corner could not be made without climbing the curb.

Is a single tight turn a fair reason to close a road to semis, or should the corner have been fixed instead?

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