The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) today announced that another shift to the temporary traffic patterns on I-195 in Providence will go into effect next week. Ongoing preventive maintenance work will still require a divided highway configuration between the I-95 interchange and the Gano Street exits in Providence, but the next shift will change the number of lanes on either side of the split.
In time for the morning commute on Monday, June 19, drivers on I-195 East will encounter a lane split with one lane to the left and three lanes to the right. The next day on Tuesday morning, June 20, motorists on I-195 West will experience the same configuration. Currently there are two lanes to the left and two lanes to the right of the split. It is important to note that all lanes are through traffic lanes that continue onto I-195. Drivers should proceed with caution through the work zone without stopping.
Access to Exit 2 (India Street) will be restored effective Monday morning, June 19, for those driving from I-95 South to I-195 East. Until then, motorists driving in that direction will need to continue following a detour using Exit 5 to reverse direction to I-195 West, then to Exit 3 (Gano Street).
Lane closures are scheduled to begin overnight Sunday night, June 18 on I-195 East starting at 8 p.m. to establish the new traffic pattern, and on Monday night, June 19 for I-195 West. Once the new traffic patterns are in place, construction activities will take place behind the protective barrier with no lane closures necessary during daytime and peak travel periods.
The final traffic pattern configuration is scheduled for late June/mid-July, with all lanes shifting to the right, and the closure of the left shoulders within this stretch of the Interstate on I-195 East and West.
The Providence Area Bridges Project is made possible by RhodeWorks, RIDOT's ongoing commitment to repair structurally deficient bridges and bring Rhode Island's transportation infrastructure into a state of good repair, promote economic development, and create jobs. Learn more at www.ridot.net/RhodeWorks.
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.