Roads well traveled Striving for the right mix of housing and transportation Development in Washington County seems to have ushered in a dramatic change in local lifestyles. Towns have turned from bustling mill villages and farms into bedroom communities.
Residents wake up here each morning and drive to work in Newport, Providence or Connecticut.
With only a few major roads servicing the region, traffic congestion has become an increasingly common problem. Tourists and college students aren't the only culprits, the population boom that goes along with South County growth plays a large part, as well. And as white-collar commuters move into the region during these healthy economic times, median home prices climb higher and higher. As Washington County loses its blue collar character, its blue collar population seems to be losing its place in Washington County, as well. During peak commuting hours, as many as 67,000 vehicles travel on Washington County roads, according to figures provided by the Washington County Regional Planning Council.