Bristol Ferry Road Diet has begun.

I saw the new dotted lines on Bristol Ferry Road at 9:30 this morning, so I gathered the "Left Turn Only Lane" was imminent - just in time for the holiday weekend. I tried driving southbound between the dotted lines, which irritated the cars lining up behind me coming off the Mt. Hope Bridge. Probably because I was only driving the "speed limit", and they couldn't pass me.  (Just trying it on for size, not knowing the official lines would be painted within hours.)  Of course, that irritation level was negligible by the time the base and Raytheon let out.  My neighbor groused that it took him over 15 minutes longer to get home from the base because traffic was so backed up.  Gee, what a surprise! No accommodations have been made for RIPTA bus stops to load and unload passengers, so I anticipate the buses will be pulling into the bicycle lanes, and cars will be illegally passing them in a "NO PASSING zone.  To add insult to injury, the left turn lane for the Mt. Hope Bridge was NOT SET BACK as far as was agreed upon in the town council meeting.  Those wishing to go straight or turn right at the traffic signal are caught in the overflow back-up.  I surely hope the police are prepared for the increase in head on collisions, fender benders, and road rage issues that are most likely going to occur. Keep in mind, this is to continue until the 4th of July to determine the impact on Aquidneck Island's welcome mat for the tourist season.