The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) started work this week to upgrade the southern entrance plaza (downtown side) of Providence Station. Through a $6.9 million contract with J.H. Lynch & Sons, planned improvements will enhance circulation for all users of the station as well as create an inviting civic space. Pedestrian enhancements will also be made along Gaspee Street, and damaged concrete and limestone areas on the building's plaza will be repaired. Other planned improvements include adding amenities for bicyclists, updating signage and landscaping.
This work, which will be broken out into two phases, will require temporary restrictions, including a closure of the top level of the parking garage, a relocation of the taxi stands, and a closure of portions of Railroad Street and Park Row West. Project completion is scheduled for spring 2016.
Phase One: Now - Early May 2015
*Gaspee Street widened to accommodate taxi service.
*Temporary roadway built for vehicles to access the parking garage from the lower level.
*The parking lane on Gaspee Street closed Monday - Saturday (effective March 30).
*Gaspee Street metered parking prohibited between the station and Francis Street (effective March 30).
Phase Two: May 2015 - May 2016
*Parking garage entrance relocated; parking restricted to lower level.
*Existing taxi stands relocated to Gaspee Street.
*Railroad Street closed; pedestrian detour in effect.
*Park Row West limited to one-way travel eastbound; full closure scheduled to begin in October.
*Finance Way limited to one-way travel eastbound at the intersection of Railroad Street and Park Row West (effective April 2016).
Schedule of work is subject to change; RIDOT will make every reasonable effort to accelerate work where possible.
Amtrak and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) services are offered daily at the station, which is ranked as one of the top three busiest stations in the MBTA network and 15th out of the more than 500 stations in Amtrak's system. This success has led the station to outgrow its 1980s design, and the improvements now underway will address some of the station's more immediate exterior needs.
To sign up for weekly updates on this and other active RIDOT projects around the state, contact dot.customerservice@dot.ri.gov. Visit www.dot.ri.gov or follow RIDOTnews on Facebook or Twitter for timely information on construction projects and traffic conditions.
Contact: Rose Amoros (401) 222-1362, Ext. 4450