The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will hold a media availability on Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at the Westminster Street Overpass in Providence. RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis will be on hand to answer questions and do interviews on the changes that will be taking place on I-95 South effective just in time for the morning commute on Wednesday, October 7, 2009.
To continue building the Iway, RIDOT must move the location of I-95 South’s Exit 20 for I-195 about a half-mile to the north. Drivers should be in the appropriate lanes as they approach Exit 20. Those heading onto I-95 South from Route 6 or the highway ramp adjacent to Providence Place Mall will have less time to move left to stay on I-95. Exit 20 will move back to its current location in approximately five to six weeks.
At the new exit location, after Exit 21, RIDOT will implement the first of two lane splits. Motorists wishing to continue on I-95 South will need to stay left of the first split. Motorists wishing to take Exit 20 for I-195 East will need to stay to the right of the split. Traffic bound for the hospitals complex must stay left, as they do today, to continue on I-95 South.
The second split will be located before the Point Street Overpass with one lane to the left of the split and two lanes to the right. All lanes continue on I-95 South, but motorists seeking access to the hospitals complex at Exit 19 (Dudley Street) will need to stay right. This second split should be removed before the end of the year.
Directions: Take I-95 South to Exit 21 (Atwells Avenue); go straight through the light; go down three blocks; take a left onto Westminster Street.