The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced today a series of steps it will be taking this fall to open the Route 403 Relocation Project to traffic. This work represents the culmination of the $130 million, eight-year project to construct a new limited access highway from Route 4 to the Quonset Business Park.
The first steps in the process will take place next week on Friday, October 3, 2008 with the temporary closure of Exit 7B from Route 4 South. This exit was constructed to serve the new Route 403, but last year RIDOT built a connector road to allow access to Frenchtown Road (Route 402) only on an interim basis.
Traffic bound for Frenchtown Road will need to use Exit 6 (Route 2/South County Trail) as a detour for approximately two months while RIDOT builds a new off-ramp to Frenchtown Road. The detour is approximately two miles long.
RIDOT expects to re-open Exit 7B for Route 403 traffic in approximately three weeks, on or about October 20. Until then, motorists heading to the Quonset area should continue to use the existing Exit 7A.
Also taking place next week is the re-opening of the Frenchtown Road bridge over Route 4, which RIDOT rehabilitated as part of this project. At the eastern end of the bridge, motorists will find a newly reconstructed intersection and a new ramp from Frenchtown Road to Route 4 North.
All schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. RIDOT will announce additional changes in the near future.
For more information on the Route 403 project and road openings and closings, visit RIDOT’s website at www.dot.ri.gov. Motorists also may direct their questions to the Department’s Customer Service office at 222-2450.
Contact: Charles St. Martin 401-222-1362 x4007