The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is reminding motorists and pedestrians that it again will close a portion of South Water Street in Providence due to demolition of the old I-195 highway. This is the second of two weekends of closures that will affect travel on the east side of the Providence River near South Water Street.
The closure of South Water Street, from James Street to Point Street, will take place tomorrow, Saturday, May 14, 2011 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. RIDOT originally planned to close the road for the entire weekend, but is completing the demolition quicker than expected. All schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change.
The closure will result in detours for both local traffic and for motorists seeking access to I-195 East from the India Street on-ramp. During this time, vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian travel will be prohibited on this portion of South Water Street.
The closure is the latest in a series of demolitions scheduled to take place this year in Providence as part of a $6.8 million Iway demolition contract. The Department anticipates the entire highway demolition project to conclude in late summer.
Detour routes will be established and well-marked with signs. Access to local businesses will be maintained. The detours are as follows:
Vehicular Detours to Reach I-195 East On-Ramp
Memorial Boulevard Southbound:
• Proceed straight at the intersection of Memorial Boulevard and South Water Street
• Follow onto Dyer Street
• Stay straight as Dyer Street becomes Eddy Street
• Turn left onto Point Street; drive over the Point Street Bridge
• Turn right onto South Main Street and follow signs to I-195 East
Vehicular Detours for Local Traffic
South Water Street Southbound:
• Follow South Water Street toward old I-195 overpass
• Turn left onto James Street
• Cross South Main Street
• Turn right onto Benefit Street
• Turn left or right onto Wickenden Street, depending on destination
Pedestrian Detours
South Water Street Southbound:
• Follow South Water Street toward old I-195 overpass
• Turn left onto James Street
• Cross South Main Street
• Turn right onto South Main Street and use the sidewalk on the left side (facing oncoming traffic)
• Turn left or right onto Wickenden Street, depending on destination
Maps and turn-by-turn directions also are available on RIDOT’s website at www.dot.ri.gov.
During this project, RIDOT will demolish more than 3,500 feet of old I-195 and seven bridges. Former Iway contracts demolished an additional 1,500 feet of old highway. Old I-195 was built in the late 1950s and was officially closed in October 2009.
The demolition of old I-195 will open up about 35 acres of land for development. This includes about 20 acres of new parcels that will be used for private development, new parks along the waterfront and new city streets. It will also allow for the construction of a new bicycle/pedestrian bridge on the existing highway piers, which connects both sides of the Providence River at the newly proposed parks.
Those 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