RIDOT makes significant progress on RhodeWorks priorities.
2023 program includes large projects and substantial resurfacing activity.
After three very productive prior quarters, RIDOT is looking to wrap up the 2023 construction season in an equally effective and efficient manner. The agency has also remained focused on being a diligent and careful steward of transportation funding. Heading into the fourth quarter, more than 95% of RIDOT projects were on time and on budget.
Henderson Bridge • Providence/East Providence
Major road/bridge projects in motion or nearly complete include:
Route 6/10 Connector. Working toward completion, RIDOT is in the last stages of this $410 million project. The massive effort has included a new flyover ramp connecting Route 10 North to Route 6 West, replacement of 7 structurally deficient bridges, along with numerous community and quality of life improvements.
Providence I-95 Viaduct. RIDOT successfully opened a new bridge from I-95 North to Route 146. With traffic now flowing smoothly on the new structure, a portion of a new collector-distributor (C/D) is being built in the footprint of the old Route 146 bridge. A major project milestone, this C/D along the right side of I-95 will be completed in by the end of 2023. It will eliminate the weaving conflicts and congestion that plague the confluence of approaches involving the 6/10 Connector and downtown on-ramps to the Route 146/State Offices interchange.
Henderson Bridge. For this significant bridge linking Providence to East Providence, RIDOT has finished curing the concrete deck while paving the east approach to the Henderson Bridge. Next steps involve drainage, curbing and electrical work for the second half of the Massasoit Avenue roundabout — while paving the new road alignment on Waterman Avenue. Upon completion, a 75% reduction in the project area structure footprint will free up 25 acres of land for economic development. Also included is a shared-use bike path connecting existing networks for East Providence, Providence and the Blackstone River Bikeway.
Washington Bridge. The majority of remaining construction is focused on reopening the Gano Street off-ramp for I-195 West while reconstructing the wall along its right side. Concrete substructure and bridge deck repairs continue on the bridge itself. A $25 million federal BUILD grant, obtained through the efforts of the RI congressional delegation, enabled the expanded project to include a new exit to Waterfront Drive in East Providence — providing access to dozens of acres of developable land.
I-95 Resurfacing in Southern Rhode Island. This $19.3 million resurfacing effort broke ground with the kickoff of the 2023 construction season in mid-April. this project will cover nearly 18 miles of I-95 from the Connecticut state line in Hopkinton to the Baker Pines Bridge in Richmond. It is part of RIDOT’s second year of investing nearly $500 million in paving projects statewide — made possible by the federal bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
Route 37 Connector. RIDOT has received a $25M Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant for the third and final phase of improvements along Route 37. Estimated to cost $100 million, this phase includes the rehabilitation, replacement or elimination of eight bridges — including the replacement of a deficient bridge with an at-grade intersection at Post Road. RIDOT has received more than $66 million in federal grants across this multiphase project.
Varied work scopes for this complex project include (l-r) demolition of bridge abutments, precast arch bridge construction and paving/resurfacing.
To view and/or download the full quarterly report document, visit the RhodeWorks homepage on the RIDOT website at: www.dot.ri.gov/RhodeWorks/
