Exit 2 from I-195 West in Providence will be closed this weekend due to construction associated with the Iway project. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will close the exit at 7 a.m. tomorrow, Saturday, July 17, 2010. The exit will reopen prior to the morning commute on Monday, July 19.
The ramp must be closed to allow for the removal of an abandoned gas line that runs underneath the ramp. Once the gas line is removed and pavement restored, motorists will find a smoother driving surface on the exit. The ramp remains under construction, however.
During the closure, motorists seeking access to the East Side of Providence should use Exit 3 (Gano Street) or Exit 1A (Point Street) during this time. RIDOT relocated Exit 2 in early June.
Resurfacing of I-95 and I-195 is an ongoing operation this summer, with rough pavement conditions and temporary exit closures during the overnight hours. Additional Iway changes scheduled for later this year include new on- and off-ramps in the Point Street and R.I. hospitals area. RIDOT also expects to begin demolition of the old I-195 highway this year.
Motorists with questions 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.
Contact: Charles St. Martin 401-222-1362 x4007