The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is asking residents in the neighborhoods of the recently closed Union Avenue Bridge in Providence to follow both the pedestrian and vehicular detours. A series of detours have been marked and RIDOT has arranged for free Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) bus service in the area during the bridge closure.
“Safety is the number one priority of RIDOT and it should be for everyone else as well,” said RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis. “Pedestrians are playing a deadly game endangering not only themselves, but also drivers on Route 10 if they try to cross the highway.”
The 52-year-old bridge is structurally deficient and must be replaced. Only by completely closing this bridge can it be replaced safely and quickly.
RIDOT did work on Route 10 and on local streets near the Union Avenue Bridge this Spring in advance of the closure. Traffic signals on Cranston Street were upgraded to help move more traffic through the area and RIDOT has built a small roadway between Huntington Avenue southbound and Huntington Avenue northbound to help detour traffic.
Free bus service on RIPTA Bus # 18 Union Avenue has been set up for the entire duration of the project. Visit RIPTA’s website at www.ripta.com for more information.
Motorists and pedestrians with questions about the Union Avenue Bridge project can contact RIDOT’s Customer Service office at 401-222-2450 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional information will be available on RIDOT’s website (www.dot.ri.gov) and its social media sites on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and Blogger.
Detour information is listed below and on RIDOT’s website at www.dot.ri.gov/travelri/UnionAveBridge.asp. No detours are required for travel from Route 10 southbound to Union Avenue westbound or from Route 10 northbound to Union Avenue eastbound.
Detour Directions: Union Avenue Eastbound: Turn right onto Huntington Avenue. At the intersection with Cranston Street, turn left through a new opening that allows traffic to reverse direction and use Huntington Avenue North. Use the on-ramp to Route 10 North to reach the Union Avenue exit. Trucks should follow Cranston Street directly to Union Avenue.
Union Avenue Westbound: Turn left onto Linwood Avenue. Turn right onto Cranston Street. Turn right onto Webster Avenue. Return to Union Avenue.
Route 10 North to Union Avenue Westbound: Take the Niantic Avenue exit. At the end of the ramp, turn left onto Niantic Avenue. Turn left onto Cranston Street. Turn right onto Webster Avenue. Return to Union Avenue.
Route 10 South to Union Avenue Eastbound: Take the Cranston Street/Garfield Street exit. At the ramp, turn right onto Garfield Street. Turn right onto Cranston Street. Turn left to return to Union Avenue.
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Contact: Dana Alexander Nolfe 401-222-1362 x4450