Please see below press release. The Providence & Worcester Railroad Company will be making emergency repairs that will require the closing of Allens Avenue between Oxford Street and Terminal Road beginning Friday, October 23, 2009, 9:00AM and possibly extending through Tuesday, October 27, 2009, 5PM.  Through traffic on Allens Avenue will not be able to get to the Allens Avenue On-Ramp to I-95 North when this closure is in place.  The on-ramp to I-95 North from Thurbers Avenue will remain open.

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will be working with the Providence and Worcester Railroad Company (P&W) to repair the railroad crossing at Allens Avenue (Route 1A) just north of Terminal Road and the Port of Providence.  In order for construction to begin, the road must be closed from 9 a.m. Friday, October 23 thru 5 p.m. Tuesday, October 27.  A detour will be in place.

The detour will direct motorists to take Ernest Street to Eddy Street to Oxford Street to bypass the area of construction.  Crews will be working 12 hour days and all work is weather dependent.  Construction will be limited to 20 feet on either side of the rail crossing which is just north of Ernest Street so that local traffic will still be able to access businesses close to the work zone.

“During the five day construction period the Department recommends drivers use alternate routes to avoid possible detour delays,” said RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis.

Construction needs to occur because of the deterioration of the reinforced steel panels and the underlying wooden shims that support the railroad tracks.  The deterioration of the tracks also impacts the road surface, especially the middle southbound lane. 

Improvements will include a new rubber crossing, continuous welded rails without any joints, updated railroad crossing lights, and new asphalt. 

Rhode Island DOT News
www.ri.gov/DOT/press
RIDOT Release 146:09
Contact: Dana Alexander Nolfe 401-222-1362 x4450
October 20, 2009