During a ceremony this afternoon in Providence at the largest road construction project in the State’s history, the Iway, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced the official start of the 2010 construction season.
“Today we are pleased to hold our construction season opener,” said RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis. “Although our recent priorities have been to reopen closed roads and bridges due to the March 2010 flooding, we will complement these efforts with the start of our annual construction season.”
Lewis took the time to remind Rhode Island motorists that with the start of the construction season, everyone needs to be cognizant of workers’ safety. “Construction means progress – what we do affects all of you,” added Lewis. “As we do our part to make improvements, please do your part by paying attention to the signs, the cones, and the work zones. Be aware, slow down and take care.”
RIDOT construction crews will be out in full force undertaking several infrastructure improvement projects throughout the State. They include: the Replacement of the Pawtucket River Bridge (#550) which carries I-95 Northbound and Southbound over the Pawtucket River in Pawtucket; and Contract 13 for the Iway, which includes the demolition of the old I-195 and its embankment in Providence.
Other projects include: the demolition of the remaining portion of the old Jamestown Bridge in Jamestown; the resurfacing of I-95 from Exit 3 (Route 138) to Weaver Hill Road in Richmond, Exeter and West Greenwich; and the resurfacing of Route 99 between Route 146 and Mendon Road in Cumberland, Lincoln and Woonsocket.
RIDOT will also make other improvements including enhancing the sidewalks and the riding surface on Route 114 (South Main Street) in Warren; upgrading the State’s bike and pedestrian path network through landscaping improvements at the Blackstone Bikeway in Lincoln, North Smithfield and Woonsocket; and also upgrading the signing on Route 37 in Warwick and Cranston and Route 10 in Cranston and Providence.
Contact: Heidi Gudmundson (401) 222-1362 x. 4009