As part of its ongoing $265 million Providence Viaduct Northbound project, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will implement new lane shifts for portions of I-95 North and South in Providence beginning on Friday night, November 19.
All lanes of travel on I-95 North under the Smith Street and Charles Street overpasses will shift to the left on Friday night, with lane closures from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. This will provide space for continued construction of a new bridge for Route 146 North, also part of the Viaduct project.
A new lane shift for I-95 South in the same area is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday night, December 1.
In addition to replacing the nearly 1,300-foot long I-95 North Viaduct, the project will rebuild 10 additional bridges, many of which are of critical safety concern. It also will correct inefficiencies, congestion and safety issues along this part of I-95. The Viaduct carries more than 220,000 vehicles per day over numerous local roads and highway ramps, Amtrak's Northeast Corridor and the Woonasquatucket River. It is the busiest section of I-95 in Rhode Island and one of the most heavily trafficked highway bridges on the East Coast. More project information is available at www.ridot.net/ProvidenceViaduct.
Construction on the entire project will be complete in 2025.
All construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings, and weather.
The Providence Viaduct Northbound project is made possible by RhodeWorks, RIDOT's ongoing commitment to repair structurally deficient bridges and bring Rhode Island's transportation infrastructure into a state of good repair, promote economic development, and create jobs. Learn more at www.ridot.net/RhodeWorks.
Note: An earlier announced change to modify I-95 North at Exit 23 (Route 146/State Offices) with new barriers has been postponed to mid to late December.