EAST PROVIDENCE — The police are encouraging morning commuters to avoid Route 195 west if they can, because an apparent sewer-line break closed the Taunton Avenue on-ramp yesterday.

The flooding occurred at Walnut Street near the newly constructed portion of the highway leading to Route 195 west.

Commuters headed toward Providence should use either the Henderson Bridge that connects to Providence’s East Side, or travel north on Route 114 or Route 1A, Newport Avenue, into Pawtucket to get on Route 95, the police said.

Lt. Armen Garow said it is the first time the city has had flooding in the area. He attributed the problem to heavy rains Tuesday and Wednesday.

The East Providence Sewer Department and Brito Construction, which has a contract with the city, were on the scene last night trying to repair the damage, according to Frank Corrao, a deputy chief engineer at the Rhode Island Department of Transportation.

It was unclear how long repairs might take, Corrao said, urging commuters to avoid using Route 195 west this morning.