The Rhode Island Department of Transportation says changes in traffic patterns will affect a South Kingstown rail station until August.

The DOT says the traffic changes will affect Railroad Avenue and access to Kingston Station off Route 138. It says work begins today under the Route 138 overpass, temporarily closing that part of the avenue. It says public transportation to the station won't be affected.

Access will be maintained from the north and the south on Railroad Avenue. Pedestrian access will be maintained under the bridge, linking the station and a new overflow parking lot.

The DOT has removed traffic islands on Route 138 at Railroad Avenue and allowed left turns for eastbound and westbound traffic. It says it'll make repairs to prolong the life of the bridge, which passes over Amtrak's Northeast Corridor.