The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is partnering with the Town of Burrillville to enhance safety along Route 102 (Broncos Highway). This month, work began on a $2.4 million contract with J.H. Lynch that includes several new traffic-calming features for the corridor. Among the improvements planned are lane reductions, center-aisle rumble strips, and additional buffer space between opposing lanes of travel. Work is scheduled to be completed by October.
"We are proud to partner with the Town to continue our investment in improving safety along Route 102," said RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis. "Ensuring people can safely travel on Rhode Island roads is paramount, and we are committed to doing all we can - from engineering to education to funding enforcement. Rural roads which have characteristics such as wide straightaways and few intersecting streets can lend themselves to higher speeds and driver inattentiveness. We hope these improvements along 102 will help bring drivers' attention back to the roadway and ultimately save lives."
Last summer, three crashes occurred within a one-week period along Route 102 in Burrillville; three people lost their lives. Immediately following, RIDOT worked with local law enforcement to increase police patrols in the area - with the goal of deterring speeding, illegal maneuvers, and distracted driving.
In addition, adjustments were made to the timing of traffic signals and pedestrian crossings at five key intersections along the corridor: Inman Road, Douglas Pike, Burrillville Middle School, East Avenue, and Central Street.
"We appreciate Rhode Island Department of Transportation's ability to expedite this very important safety project," said Burrillville Town Manager, Michael C. Wood. "Route 102 is an important travel corridor for Burrillville and Northern Rhode Island. Safety is always of paramount concern. Given the recent record of serious traffic accidents on Route 102, the Town thanks RIDOT, and its very capable staff, for their willingness to work with the Town and our public safety personnel to proactively implement important safety improvements."
The contract with J.H. Lynch also includes resurfacing of Route 102 from the Glocester town line to Inman Road, signing and striping improvements to Route 146 in North Smithfield, and signing and striping improvements to the intersection of Memorial Boulevard and Francis Street in Providence.
For more information on RIDOT construction activities, visit www.dot.ri.gov. Updates are also posted to the RIDOT Facebook (www.facebook.com/RIDOTNews) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/RIDOTNews) pages. To receive weekly project updates via email, contact customerservice@dot.ri.gov.
Contact: Rose Amoros (401) 222-1362, Ext. 4450