News Summary
Rhode Island is set for a major infrastructure overhaul starting in summer, with an investment of approximately $779 million across multiple projects. Key initiatives include the I-95 15 project to replace 15 bridges, transforming Route 10 into a pedestrian-friendly boulevard, and essential upgrades at critical intersections. Additional projects involve the replacement of numerous bridges and enhancements to traffic safety. These improvements are expected to significantly affect travel throughout the state, with completion timelines extending into the next decade.
Providence, Rhode Island – Rhode Island is set to undergo a significant transformation in its infrastructure during the summer construction season, with multiple major road projects slated to start in 2024 and projected to be completed by 2031. The total investment for these initiatives is approximately $779 million, and they are expected to greatly impact travel throughout the state.
The centerpiece of this construction season is the “I-95 15” project, which focuses on replacing 15 bridges on I-95 in Providence and Cranston. It is noteworthy that this initiative is separate from an existing downtown Providence viaduct renovation. Complementary to this, Route 10 will shift from a freeway format to a more pedestrian-friendly boulevard, featuring amenities and a protected shared-use path between U.S. Highway 1 and Route 12, thereby enhancing connectivity between Cranston and Providence.
Crucial upgrades will also be made at the intersection of RI-10 and RI-12, aiming to transform it into a safer at-grade intersection that will incorporate complete streets elements. As part of the Route 10 project, the new boulevard will improve access to key local facilities, including Roger Williams Park, Zoo, and Botanical Center. Although this transformation is expected to reduce Route 10 to a single lane in each direction from the I-95 ramps to Park Avenue, the completion date for the boulevard’s full functionality is targeted for 2030.
Starting July 28, traffic on Eddy Street over I-95 is anticipated to be limited to one lane indefinitely due to ongoing bridge work, which will include an alternating traffic pattern. Simultaneously, the West River Street Bridge in Providence is being replaced, although no formal updates on its status have recently been provided.
Additional major projects include the Route 37 initiative, which aims to replace 22 bridges across three phases. This plan addresses nearly half of the bridges within Rhode Island that have been classified as being in poor condition. The Route 37 upgrades will also involve widening highways and enhancing safety features at the I-295 interchange, ensuring improved traffic flow.
Traffic safety is a priority in the redesign of Route 146 at Sayles Hill Road, which will involve multiple bridge replacements and significant repaving efforts along eight miles of road. In Lincoln, School Street is currently closed due to ongoing water and sewer line replacements alongside repaving, scheduled to last from May 22, 2023, to December 2025.
In North Kingstown, the Tower Hill Road bridge is being replaced, with resurfacing work impacting 6.5 miles of roadway scheduled to begin in July and involving nighttime lane closures. Furthermore, there are plans for the construction of a roundabout at Phillips Street, Boston Neck Road, and Brown Street, which will include new ramps connecting Route 4 North to I-95 and vice versa, addressing what has been referred to as “the missing move.”
Looking ahead, another crucial project will entail the replacement of two bridges over I-95 and I-295, with construction anticipated to commence in 2024 and wrap up by 2027, at an estimated cost of $102.4 million. In a noteworthy funding success, Rhode Island recently secured over $220 million from the federal government for the reconstruction of the Washington Bridge in Providence. Current work is being undertaken by Walsh Construction Co., with an investment of $339 million allocated for this project.
Demolition of the old Washington Bridge is already underway, with traffic redirected onto the eastbound side for the duration of these works. The completion of the Washington Bridge project is projected for November 2028, with an anticipated design life of 100 years and plans for easier maintenance going forward.
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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
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INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER The INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREIndianapolis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Indianapolis, Marion County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Indianapolis 500, Indy Jazz Fest, and the Indiana State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Indy Chamber and Visit Indy, plus leading businesses in motorsports and healthcare that power the local economy such as Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IU Health. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Indiana's dynamic landscape.
