Smiley wants state of emergency over Washington Bridge closure. What to know today.

Mayor Brett Smiley voiced disagreement with Gov. Dan McKee's decision to not declare a state of emergency in Rhode Island amid major traffic tie-ups because of the Washington Bridge westbound closure.

"I trust that the governor – and he said it in a lot of words – that he is crossing his T’s and dotting his I’s before he signs that piece of paper, and I know they’re working on it," Smiley said on Wednesday. "But certainly from the business owners that I’ve talked to today, there has been significant impact. I was out here yesterday, same thing. So we should be pursuing aggressively any possible mechanism for federal support for these businesses."

Smiley said he doesn't know why an emergency declaration wouldn't be made. Around the state, commuters have spent several hours in traffic attempting to reach work, schools have gone remote and questions have lingered over the impact on commerce.

Yet McKee defended his decision against declaring an emergency right now, saying, "If it makes sense, we will."

"When you’ve prevented the catastrophe that potentially could have happened, you work your way out of the emergency status relative to federal," the governor said, adding that the federal government "indicated they’re going to find ways to provide help and assistance and resources to us that are outside the emergency umbrella."

How much is the city spending now to direct traffic?

Already, Providence is spending big on directing traffic through the city. Smiley's communications director, Patricia Socarras, said the city estimates paying more than $20,000 per day on keeping drivers organized. That breaks down to $15,309 for police details and an additional $5,100 for vehicles.

"Since we were made aware of the news, Providence Police have reassigned resources to help detours run smoothly and ensure pedestrian and traffic safety throughout the city," Socarras said. "We are currently tracking costs in the event we can receive reimbursement."

Smiley expects to keep spending at this rate during the next two weeks, while the Rhode Island Department of Transportation makes a temporary fix to the bridge where stabilizing pins have broken, causing it to sway.

Meanwhile, Rhode Island State Police Col. Darnell Weaver says the bridge closure is costing his department about $6,000 per day.

"The situation is fluid and subject to change," he added.

More: You asked, we answered: Reader questions about the Washington Bridge

What about snow clearance and parking?

Smiley said he's already thought about snow clearance during the detour, and expects drivers to see an even longer commute if the area gets any snow.

"We’ve done some additional work with the Department of Public Works and the [Providence Emergency Management Agency] that were it to snow in the next two weeks while this detour is taking place, that we are confident we would be able to clear the snow and keep the detour route safe," Smiley said. "It obviously would add a few more minutes of delay, but it’s a short detour that we know how to plow well."

Smiley said there wouldn't be any parking bans, but there are some spots in the city where no-parking signs have now been posted. Businesses also cannot have delivery trucks parked in travel lanes at this time.

Could more schools go remote?

East Providence schools temporarily went to remote learning on Wednesday, though whether other schools will follow remains a question. Smiley said traffic is moving well enough in Providence that it would not be necessary for public schools in the area to make changes.

Rhode Island Department of Education spokesman Victor Morente says the department encourages schools to "prioritize in-person instruction, but we understand this is an unprecedented situation."

Any districts wanting to go remote would need to submit plans to Rhode Island Department of Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. Under state law, those requests can be accommodated because of bad weather or "other emergency." It's unclear whether the bridge closure would constitute an emergency. Morente said plans are reviewed on a "case-by-case basis."

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: I-195's bridge closure impacts on Providence: How city is coping