The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is planning to close Route 10 North and South in Providence during overnight hours next week to allow for safe installation of new steel beams for the Union Avenue Bridge.
The highway will be closed in both directions from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Sunday night and from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Monday through Thursday nights. Additional overnight closures are possible the following week, Sunday through Thursday nights, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. The schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change.
All traffic will be required to use the Union Avenue exit, but can use adjacent on-ramps to immediately return to the highway. RIDOT expects significant traffic congestion due to the closure, particularly during the initial hours of the operation. Motorists should use I-95 to bypass the closure area and avoid delays.
RIDOT is replacing the structurally deficient bridge under an $8.1 million project with Aetna Bridge of Pawtucket. By closing the bridge completely, the Department is able to replace it as quickly and safely as possible. The bridge is scheduled to reopen in Spring 2012.
Because of the high number of pedestrians who used the Union Avenue Bridge, RIDOT arranged to provide free bus service on RIPTA’s Bus # 18 Union Avenue throughout the duration of the project. Visit RIPTA’s website at www.ripta.com for more information.
Motorists with questions can contact RIDOT’s Customer Service office at 401-222-2450 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional information will be available on RIDOT’s website (www.dot.ri.gov) and its social media sites on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and Blogger.
Contact: Charles St. Martin 401-222-1362 x4007