The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) next week is scheduled to close a portion of Richmond Street in Providence at the old I-195 overpass for approximately two weeks. Located between Clifford Street and Ship Street, the bridge is being removed as part of a $6.8 million Iway demolition contract.
The affected section of Richmond Street will be closed at 6 a.m. on Monday, March 28, 2011. RIDOT anticipates reopening the road by April 11. All schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change.
By closing the road completely to vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians, RIDOT can demolish the bridge quickly and safely. The closure is a first in a series of demolitions scheduled to take place this year in Providence. The Department anticipates the entire highway demolition project to conclude in late summer.
“We apologize for any inconveniences this closure will cause,” RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis said.
RIDOT has established detour routes for both vehicles and pedestrians for this closure. Access to local businesses will be maintained. The detours are as follows:
Vehicular Detours
Clifford Street Westbound:
• Turn right onto Richmond Street (which is one-way north of the old highway overpass)
• Turn right onto Friendship Street
• Turn right onto Dorrance Street
• Dorrance Street becomes Dyer Street
• Turn right onto Ship Street to return to Richmond Street
Richmond Street Northbound:
• Turn left onto Ship Street
• Turn left onto Elbow Street
• Turn right onto Chestnut Street
• Bear right and follow Chestnut Street under old I-195 bridge
• Turn right onto Friendship Street to return to Richmond Street
Pedestrian Detours
Richmond Street Northbound:
• Turn left onto Ship Street
• Turn right onto Chestnut Street under old I-195 bridge
• Turn right onto Friendship Street to return to Richmond Street
or
• Turn right onto Ship Street
• Turn left onto Dyer Street
• Dyer Street becomes Dorrance Street
• Turn left onto Clifford Street to return to Richmond Street
Richmond Street Southbound:
• Turn left onto Clifford Street
• Turn right onto Dorrance Street
• Dorrance Street becomes Dyer Street
• Turn right onto Ship Street to return to Richmond Street
Maps and turn-by-turn directions also are available on RIDOT’s website at www.dot.ri.gov.
During this project, RIDOT will demolish more than 3,500 feet of old I-195 and seven bridges. Former Iway contracts demolished an additional 1,500 feet of old highway. Old I-195 was built in the late 1950s and was officially closed in October 2009.
The demolition of old I-195 will open up about 35 acres of land which will be used to build new streets throughout Providence. This includes about 20 acres of new parcels that will be used for private development and new parks along the waterfront. It will also allow for the construction of a new bicycle/pedestrian bridge on the existing highway piers, which connects both sides of the river at newly proposed parks.
Those 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