Periodic closures needed over next two weeks
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will begin overnight closures of I-95 in Providence on Monday, January 26, 2009 to allow for the safe demolition of the former Pine Street and Friendship Street overpasses. Planned closures this week were canceled due to adverse weather, forcing the operation to be rescheduled to next week.
RIDOT will conduct overnight closures on I-95 South on Monday and Tuesday, January 26-27 and on I-95 North on Wednesday and Thursday, January 28-29. Motorists may encounter lane on I-95 in either direction whether a full closure is planned or not. Additionally, RIDOT may close a lane on the I-195 West to I-95 North connection.
Overnight Interstate closures, when planned, will begin at 11 p.m. Lane restrictions may begin after 8 p.m. and all lanes are scheduled to be reopened by 5 a.m., prior to the morning commute.
This work is part of the Iway project. The overpasses are being demolished to allow RIDOT to continue construction of the new highway interchange for I-95 and I-195.
The closure schedule is subject to change and additional nights may be added. All work is weather dependent. The closure area is between Exit 21 (Atwells Avenue/Broadway) and Exit 19 (Eddy Street) and detours have been established (please see next page). RIDOT strongly advises motorists traveling through Providence during the overnight hours to use either I-295 or Route 10 to bypass the closure area.
RIDOT has conducted numerous overnight lane closures in the past few weeks for demolition of the Pine Street overpass deck. RIDOT must now begin removal of the bridge’s steel beams, which requires full highway closures. While the highway is closed, RIDOT will also work to demolish the Friendship Street overpass.
“The Department has made a great effort to avoid impacting traffic during construction of the Iway,” RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis said. “This work, however, requires the full closure of I-95 for the safe and expedient removal of the old overpasses.”
The overnight closure schedule and suggested detours for this week include:
Sunday, January 25: · Lane closures only, I-95 North and South and the I-195 West to I-95 North ramp. At least one lane will remain open at all times.
Monday & Tuesday, January 26-27: · I-95 South closed from Exit 21 to Exit 19, including access to I-195 East. · Route 10 North to I-95 South will be closed. · I-95 North lane closures possible. · Through traffic should use I-295 or Route 10. · Traffic bound for I-195 East should use highway detour (Exit 22B to Route 10 South to I-95 North and access I-195 East at Exit 19) or city detour (Exit 21, then follow Service Road No. 7 to the Plain Street on-ramp to reach I-195 East). · Motorists traveling on Route 10 North wishing to access the Downtown, Downcity and Jewelry District areas should follow signs for Downtown and use Memorial Boulevard. · Southbound I-95 Hospital traffic: · Hospital traffic and others who did not exit onto Route 10 must use Exit 21 (Atwells Avenue) and follow Service Road No. 7 to Plain Street and the hospitals complex. · Hospital traffic on Route 10 North should exit at Dean Street/Atwells Avenue and follow Atwells Avenue to Service Road No. 7 to Plain Street and the hospitals complex. · Hospital traffic on I-195 West to I-95 South will not be affected.
Wednesday & Thursday, January 28-29: · I-95 North closed from Exit 19 to Exit 21. Access will be maintained to Exit 19 for I-195 East. · Lane closures possible on I-95 South and the ramp from I-195 West to I-95 North. · Through traffic should use I-295 or Route 10. · Through traffic in Providence will need to use Exit 18 (Thurbers Avenue) and follow city detour using Allens Avenue, Eddy Street, Dyer Street and Memorial Boulevard to the on-ramp for I-95 North near Providence Place Mall. · Hospital traffic is not affected. Use Exit 18 (Thurbers Avenue) to Eddy Street without detour.
Additional overnight closures are possible for the week of February 1. The Department will announce specific schedule information in the near future, as well as announce any schedule changes.
RIDOT will be using signage and electronic message boards to alert motorists of the closure and detour routes. Up-to-date traveler information will be available on the Department’s website, www.dot.ri.gov
Contact: Charles St. Martin 401-222-1362 x4007