The Rhode Island Department of Transportation is reminding motorists of the overnight closure on I-95 North and South in Providence over the next two weeks for Iway construction.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is reminding motorists that it will close   I-95 North and South in Providence on various nights over the next two weeks for Iway-related construction. The closures will also affect traffic on I-195 West to I-95 North. Motorists are strongly urged to seek alternate routes during the closure period. The work is being done during overnight hours, when traffic volumes are the lowest, to minimize impacts to motorists.

The full highway closures are scheduled to begin on Thursday, November 19, 2009 and conclude on Tuesday, November 24, 2009. The closure schedule is as follows:

First week:

Thursday, November 19:                                     I-95 North & South closed
                                                                                   I-195 West to I-95 North closed

Second week:

Sunday-Tuesday, November 22-24:                 I-95 North & South closed
                                                                                  I-195 West to I-95 North closed

RIDOT will close at least one lane in each direction on I-95 after 8 p.m. each night of a scheduled closure, with the full closures taking place after 11 p.m. All lanes will be restored by 5 a.m. the next day, prior to the morning commute. All work and schedules are weather dependent.

The work zone will be between Exit 19 (I-195 northbound; Eddy Street southbound) and Exit 21 (Broadway northbound; Atwells Avenue southbound). Additionally, I-195 West after Exit 2 (South Main Street) will only be open to traffic heading to I-95 South.

RIDOT must close the highway to allow for the installation of steel beams for the new Clifford Street Bridge, which is being built as part of the Iway project. The bridge will span I-95 in roughly the same footprint as the former Friendship Street on-ramp to old I-195 East. The frequent relocations of Exit 20 (from I-95 South to I-195 East) this fall were required before this next step in the process of building the new bridge.

The Department plans to open the Clifford Street Bridge to traffic in late 2010, along with additional highway on-ramps and service roads that will improve travel to and from the Jewelry District, Downcity and the West Side of Providence.

Through traffic on I-95 North or South should use Route 10 as a detour. Local traffic on I-95 and on I-195 West to I-95 North should follow detours using city streets. RIDOT will install trail blazing signage along the detour routes to guide motorists.

I-95 North

Take Exit 16 and follow Route 10 North to return to I-95 North after the work zone. Or, detour using Exit 18 (Thurbers Avenue) and follow a city detour using Allens Avenue, Eddy Street, Dyer Street and Memorial Boulevard to return to I-95 North using the on-ramp adjacent to Providence Place Mall. Motorists will be able to access Exit 19 for I-195 East.

I-95 South

Motorists should use Exit 22B and follow Route 10 South to return to I-95 South in Cranston. Or, detour using Exit 22A (Downtown) and follow a city detour using Memorial Boulevard, Dyer Street, Eddy Street, Allens Avenue and Blackstone Street to return to I-95 South.

I-95 South to I-195 East

Use Exit 21 (Atwells Avenue) and follow Service Road No. 7 to Plain Street on-ramp to I-195 East.

I-95 South to Hospitals Complex

Use Exit 21 (Atwells Avenue) and follow detour using Service Road No. 7, Plain Street, Borden Street, and Crary Street to reach Eddy Street and the hospitals complex.

I-195 West to I-95 North

Take Exit 2 (South Main Street), turn left onto Steeple Street, and then follow Memorial Boulevard to on-ramp to I-95 North adjacent to Providence Place Mall. Alternately, follow South Main Street to North Main Street to Charles Street to on-ramp to I-95 North.

RIDOT will use signage and electronic message boards to alert motorists of the closure and detour routes. Up-to-date traveler information will be available on the Department’s website, www.dot.ri.gov. Information will also be accessible by dialing 511 (1-888-401-4511 for out of state callers), listening to 1630 AM on RIDOT’s Highway Advisory Radio, or by calling RIDOT’s Customer Service office at 401-222-2450 on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.