The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is scheduled to reopen Exit 28 (School Street) on I-95 North in Pawtucket on Sunday, November 6, 2011. The exit had been closed since September 11.
During the closure period, RIDOT built a portion of a bridge structure that will temporarily service traffic on I-95 North during the construction of the new Pawtucket River Bridge.
RIDOT anticipates another closure of Exit 28 during the winter months, but this has not been scheduled yet. When RIDOT is ready to open the new structure that will temporarily service I-95 North traffic, Exit 28 will be closed for approximately two weeks to allow final construction necessary for both the new bridge and Exit 28.
The Pawtucket River Bridge now carrying I-95 North has an 18-ton weight limit, forcing trucks to use long detours via I-295 or Route 146, or local detours on city streets. With the opening of this new structure this winter, RIDOT will be able to eliminate the detour for I-95 North.
At the conclusion of the entire project in 2013, this new bridge structure will remain in place as a service road that will carry on-ramp traffic from George Street and off-ramp traffic to a new Exit 28 to School Street. This new bridge will reduce congestion on I-95 North by providing additional lanes for on- and off-ramp traffic.
Motorists with questions can contact RIDOT's Customer Service office at 401-222-2450 weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 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