News Summary
Rhode Island is set for a significant transformation of its infrastructure as the summer construction season begins. With an investment of approximately $779 million, multiple road projects are scheduled to ramp up, including the replacement of bridges on I-95 and significant upgrades to Route 10. Efforts also include improving road safety and connectivity for both residents and travelers. Ongoing work will cause traffic disruptions, yet aims to enhance access to local resources and ensure the longevity of the state’s infrastructure by 2031.
Providence, Rhode Island – Rhode Island’s summer construction season is gearing up for a transformative period, with numerous road projects set to reshape the state’s infrastructure by 2031. An estimated $779 million in investments will be made to enhance road safety and connectivity for residents and travelers alike.
The extensive overhaul, beginning in 2024, encapsulates various projects, notably the “I-95 15” initiative which involves replacing 15 bridges on I-95 in Providence and Cranston. This project is separate from the ongoing work on the downtown Providence viaduct, which extends 1,295 feet and aims to reduce congestion by redesigning access for northbound traffic heading to Route 146.
Route 10 is undergoing a significant transformation from a high-speed freeway to a boulevard, with plans that include safety features, provisions for cyclists and pedestrians, and a shared-use path that will connect U.S. Highway 1 to Route 12. This new layout is expected to greatly improve access to essential local resources like Roger Williams Park, the Zoo, and the Botanical Center, with completion anticipated by 2030.
Current work on Route 10 is causing traffic disruption, reducing the road to one lane in either direction from the I-95 ramps to Park Avenue. Additionally, from July 28, restrictions will be implemented on Eddy Street over I-95, limiting it to one lane indefinitely while work is conducted.
In Cranston, the intersection at RI-10 and RI-12 is set for an upgrade to an at-grade intersection, incorporating safety features and elements of complete street design. This upgrade aligns with statewide efforts to enhance overall road safety.
Among notable incidents affecting these projects is the incident known as “Stumpgate.” Here, a contractor cut down more trees than necessary, prompting plans for replanting between 2025 and 2027 as part of the mitigation efforts.
Further up the infrastructure upgrade list includes a substantial project on Route 37 which plans to address nearly half of the bridges currently classified as in poor condition through the replacement of 22 bridges in three phases. This project also includes safety improvements at the Route 37 and I-295 interchange, aiming to enhance one of the state’s busiest junctions.
In addition to Bridge replacements on Route 37 and the ongoing work on the Washington Bridge, which is estimated to cost $339 million and is expected to be completed by November 2028, multiple bridges along Route 146 are also slated for replacement. The redesign at Sayles Hill Road aims to improve safety and optimize traffic flow over an 8-mile stretch of roadway.
Another critical construction site currently active is School Street in Lincoln, which is closed for water and sewer line replacements alongside repaving work. This project is scheduled to continue through December 2025, causing further travel adjustments in the area.
Additionally, the Tower Hill Road bridge in North Kingstown is undergoing replacement, impacting approximately 6.5 miles of road with nighttime lane closures expected from July onwards. A new roundabout will be constructed at Phillips Street, Boston Neck Road, and Brown Street, supplementing new ramp connections from Route 4 North to I-95 and vice versa, which have been termed the “missing move.”
As the state pushes forward with these extensive infrastructure developments, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and partnering contractors are aiming for efficiency, with incentives of up to $10 million available for the timely completion of projects, such as the new lanes on the Washington Bridge.
Rhode Island has secured over $220 million in federal funding to support the reconstruction of the Washington Bridge, with demolition of the old structure already underway. Traffic is currently routed over the eastbound side as phases of rebuilding recommence.
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Additional Resources
- Providence Journal: RI Summer Beach Traffic
- Construction Dive: Walsh Rhode Island I-195 Rebuild
- Rhode Island Current: Washington Bridge Demolition Resumes
- Roads & Bridges: Rhode Island’s Washington Bridge Replacement
- Valley Breeze: Route 146 Flyover Project Progress
- Wikipedia: Rhode Island
- Google Search: Rhode Island construction projects
- Google Scholar: Rhode Island infrastructure
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Rhode Island
- Google News: Rhode Island traffic
