RIDOT to open additional lanes for Providence Viaduct project

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Department of Transportation said that it would begin opening additional travel lanes on Interstate 95 North and the northbound Providence Viaduct service road at Exit 38 in Providence on May 30.

The work to open the lanes will begin at 9 p.m. and the lanes will be open on May 31.

The following traffic changes will be in effect once the new lanes open:

• At the Broadway Off-Ramp (Exit 37A): The far-right lane will be modified from an exit-only lane to an option lane so drivers can use the right lane to take the exit or continue straight on I-95 North towards the Downtown/Route 6/10 Exit. At this point there will be five through travel lanes instead of four.
• At the Downtown/Route 6/10 off-ramp (Exits 37B-D): An additional lane will be provided here so drivers taking the off-ramp will have two lanes instead of one on the exit.
• At the Atwells Avenue Merge: An additional lane will be provided here so traffic coming onto the service road from Atwells Avenue will have its own lane over the bridge. At this point there will be three travel lanes instead of two.
• At the Route 6/10 and Downtown merge: An additional lane will be open here; traffic coming onto the service road from Route 6/10 or downtown Providence will have its own lane. At this point there will be four lanes instead of three.
• At Route 146 (Exit 38A): There will be two lanes to the left for traffic to Route 146 and two lanes to the right for traffic to I-95 North. The right lane should be used for anyone wishing to take the State Offices off-ramp (Exit 38B).
• On the ramp to I-95 North: RIDOT will move the merge from two lanes to one lane several hundred feet to the north of its current location.

RIDOT said the service road was built adjacent to the I-95 North through lanes, and carries traffic entering the highway from Atwells Avenue, Route 6/10, and downtown, as well as traffic taking the Route 146 or State Offices exits.