The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is asking motorists to allow extra travel time or consider alternate routes through Apponaug village in Warwick. As construction winds down on the first four roundabouts in the Apponaug Circulator project, lane closures are necessary to ensure the long-term durability of new decorative crosswalks.
At each roundabout, RIDOT is using a stamped concrete design for the crosswalks to clearly signal to both pedestrians and drivers where to cross the new intersections. As part of this process, one travel lane in the two-lane roundabouts is being closed for approximately one week to allow the new concrete to properly set and cure. After the curing time, RIDOT will close the opposite lane and repeat the process.
This work has been ongoing, and this week started with a left lane closure at the roundabout where Greenwich Avenue, Veterans Memorial Drive and the new Veterans Memorial Drive Extension meet. Also, the left lane on Veterans Memorial Drive westbound approaching the roundabout is closed. On Wednesday, May 24, the traffic pattern will shift with the right lane closed to allow for the construction and curing time for the other half of the crosswalk.
The Greenwich Avenue roundabout is the busiest roundabout in the village, and RIDOT has observed significant travel delays, especially affecting westbound traffic during morning and evening rush hours. Motorists traveling across Warwick between I-95 and the Route 2 corridor and areas such as Greenwood, West Shore Road, Long Street, Buttonwoods, and further east toward Sandy Lane and Oakland Beach may wish to use Route 113 (Main Avenue) as an alternate route during this phase of construction.
RIDOT anticipates these lane restrictions will be in place until May 31.
The addition of the decorative crosswalks was done at this time to avoid disrupting traffic last fall as motorists were becoming acclimated to the new traffic patterns.
The Apponaug Circulator project remains on time and on budget. Construction is ongoing with the majority of the remaining work in the heart of the village and at Apponaug Four Corners with an expected end date this fall.
All dates and times are weather-dependent and subject to change. Visit www.dot.ri.gov or follow RIDOTnews on Facebook or Twitter for timely information on construction projects and traffic conditions. You can receive direct updates on this project by signing up for our Project Updates by contacting us at help@ridot.net and use the word "Project Updates" in the subject line