Effective Wednesday, July 13, motorists who travel on Route 1 (Post Road) in a 1.6 mile stretch, just south of Camp Avenue to Route 1A (West Main Street) in North Kingstown, will experience a new traffic pattern. This proven safety measure is being implemented by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) on a two-month trial basis. At the end of the trial period, the Town of North Kingstown will decide whether or not to make the changes permanent, or to restore this segment of Route 1 to its original traffic pattern.
Existing conditions on this segment of Route 1 in North Kingstown have motorists traveling on two 10-foot travel lanes in each direction, with extremely narrow shoulders. The new traffic pattern provides one 11-foot travel lane in each direction, with a 12-foot center turn lane, allowing for wider 3-foot shoulders, and improved bicycle access. RIDOT is making these improvements as part of an existing statewide striping contract, with an investment of $18,200. Work to install the new line striping will take place Monday and Tuesday nights, July 11 and 12, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Travel lanes will be reduced effective Tuesday morning and the new traffic pattern will be finalized by Wednesday morning. All schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change.
Since 2009, the Department has installed similar traffic patterns in 17 locations across the state, one of which was on South County Trail in North Kingstown. As a highly effective tool and proven safety countermeasure recommended by the Federal Highway Administration, this traffic pattern has shown to reduce the potential for angle and rear end crashes, and conflict points, by separating left turning traffic from through traffic.
Contact: Charles St. Martin 401-222-1362 x4007; 401-641-8934