First traffic change to impact northbound traffic
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) today announced a new traffic pattern expected for the week of June 24 for I-295 North near Exit 6 (Route 14/Plainfield Pike) on the Cranston/Johnston line.
All lanes will shift to the left to a temporary bridge RIDOT has built between the northbound and southbound bridges. This gives RIDOT adequate space to shift traffic during bridge demolition and reconstruction activities. No exits or on-ramps will be closed. The temporary traffic pattern will remain in place until spring 2020. It will then be modified to shift southbound traffic on the temporary bridge to allow construction to continue.
The lane shift allows RIDOT to replace four bridges in the $22.6 million I-295 Bridges Contract 1. Three out of the four bridges in this project are rated as structurally deficient. They were built between 1968 and 1969 and carry 82,000 vehicles per day.
In addition to the two bridges that carry I-295 north and south over Plainfield Pike, RIDOT also is repairing two bridges just south of the Plainfield Pike intersection which pass over an aqueduct for the Providence Water Supply Board. This buried 90-inch diameter pipe carries much of the water used by Rhode Island residents on a daily basis.
All construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings, and weather.
The I-295 Bridges Contract 1 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.