The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) wants to remind motorists that it will be making changes this weekend to traffic patterns on I-95 South in Providence with the relocation of Exit 20 for I-195 East.

Beginning at 11 p.m. tonight, Friday, November 6, 2009, RIDOT will close the existing two-lane ramp for Exit 20 and begin a phased operation of opening a temporary ramp to Exit 20 at the Point Street Overpass, about 1,000 feet south of its current location. During this time, motorists will have only one lane of travel to access I-195 and at least one lane will be closed on I-95 South as well. All work is scheduled to be completed by late morning tomorrow, Saturday, November 7. Motorists should seek alternate routes during this transition period.

The temporary ramp will be in roughly the same location as it was when Exit 20 opened to the Iway in December 2008. Ongoing Iway construction, however, has shifted I-95 South to the left of its original alignment. The new ramp will have a slight incline, and as such, motorists should reduce speed and exercise caution when using it.

The temporary ramp to Exit 20 will be in place through Fall 2010. RIDOT will then relocate Exit 20 to its permanent location, which will be after the Broad Street Overpass.

RIDOT must relocate the access to Exit 20 in order to allow Iway construction to continue. Work scheduled includes construction of a new on-ramp from Point Street to I-95 South, construction of the permanent ramp for Exit 20, and a new Exit 19 from I-95 South to the hospitals area and Eddy Street. The Department anticipates the Point Street and new Eddy Street ramps to open in late 2010.

All schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. Motorists can expect additional congestion on I-95 South during the first few days as drivers become accustomed to all of these changes. Those seeking additional information can visit the Department’s website, www.dot.ri.gov, or contact RIDOT’s Customer Service office at 401-222-2450 weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

-From RIDOT