The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is resuming work on its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and resurfacing improvements to South Main Street and North Main Street in Providence. The goal of this project is to improve pedestrian safety in this highly traveled vehicular and pedestrian corridor. Work this spring and summer will involve milling and repaving of the road, representing the final steps of this project. Starting at the intersection of James Street and South Main Street, work will progress north toward the project's northern end at the intersection of Smith Street and North Main Street.
Milling of the roadway in preparation for paving will start on Tuesday, April 18. Raised structures (such as utility covers and drainage grates) in the travel lanes and parking areas will be present. The majority of work will take place during the evening with lane closures and parking restrictions likely, but daytime restrictions are possible. Brief closures of side streets connecting to North and South Main Streets also are possible. Paving and milling operations will be ongoing until early June. National Grid is expected to begin work on the replacement of a gas main on a portion of South Main Street from Transit Street to Planet Street. RIDOT will hold off on placing the final course of pavement in this area until the utility work is complete - ensuring a final paving surface will be free of any patches or utility cuts. The $9.5 million project is on budget and on time, with final completion expected in August.
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