State of Rhode Island Department of Transportation

Press Release: RIDOT, Building Futures Celebrate Success of Training Program

2012-02-13T11:01:00.000-05:00

Calling it a "Creative Training Partnership that's Working", representatives from the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration today joined Building Futures staff, trainees and graduates to highlight the successful implementation of RIDOT's State Transportation Employment Program (STEP), a training initiative funded through the Federal Highway Administration.

Please see http://t.co/jdGa36iv for more information.

RIDOT's Weekly Traffic Forecast

2012-02-10T15:43:00.000-05:00

RIDOT's Weekly Traffic Forecast is now available at: http://www.tmc.dot.ri.gov/traveladvisories/default.asp.

RIDOT using new technology to help battle winter storms

2012-02-10T12:53:00.001-05:00

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced that it will be using a new method of road pre-treatment prior to the forecasted winter storm tomorrow, Saturday, February 11, 2012. Starting today, the Department will be applying a salt brine solution on a test portion of I-95 North and South, from Exit 7 in West Greenwich to the area of Exit 20 in Providence.

The operation consists of two trucks applying the brine solution (a saltwater concentrate) one lane at a time, beginning with the low-speed lanes. Drivers will make continuing passes until this entire section of I-95 has been treated. Motorists encountering this operation should use caution, as the trucks will be traveling below the posted speed limit during the application.

The highway will appear wet for some time, but as it evaporates, a thin layer of salt will remain on the roadway. When snowfall begins tomorrow, it will prevent ice and snow from bonding with the pavement.

The conventional method of road pre-treatment involves the application of salt timed right before the first flakes fall. Salt brine is advantageous because it can be applied up to three days before the storm, providing an initial treatment of salt at the beginning of snowstorms when roads often become slick very quickly.

"We think this new technology will keep roads clearer longer, but motorists should not expect snow-free surfaces at all times, as all storms vary in intensity," RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis said. "We still urge motorists to exercise caution by reducing their speed and avoiding unnecessary travel during snowstorms."

Once a snowstorm is under way, RIDOT works to plow and apply sand and salt to keep the roads as clear as possible. A key goal is to keep a slushy, briny solution on the pavement surface, which keeps the snow from becoming compacted and then freezing. This method also quickens final clean up once the storm is over.

RIDOT will evaluate the effectiveness of the salt brine during this weekend's storm and hopes to expand its usage to other highways and roads. In certain conditions, the application of a salt brine solution may not be feasible because it is dependent on air and surface temperatures.

The Department expects to reduce the overall usage of salt during storms using this salt brine application. Additionally, the Department has outfitted many of its trucks with more precise salt metering systems to better control the application of this material – the most costly components of winter storm operations. The Department also provides incentives for private state-contracted vendors who choose to use more efficient and environmentally friendly methods of applying road salt during winter storms.

Those with questions can contact RIDOT's Customer Service office at 401-222-2450 weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional information will be available on RIDOT's social media sites on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and Blogger.

Contact: Charles St. Martin 401-222-1362, Ext. 4007

RIDOT to Hold Meeting on Proposed MBTA Fare and Service Changes

2012-02-10T12:19:00.001-05:00

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced today that it will hold a public meeting on Monday, February 27, 2012, to discuss the proposed changes to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) fare and service schedule.

The meeting will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Atrium at the Rhode Island Department of Administration, One Capitol Hill, Providence. RIDOT will facilitate a discussion between the public and representatives from the MBTA, who will be on hand to present the plan and answer questions.

For more information, please see http://t.co/eGmEvaWw.

Traffic Advisory: Exit 4 closed on I-195

2012-02-10T10:37:00.001-05:00

I-195 EB at Exit 4, the off-ramp to Veterans Memorial Parkway will be closed for bridge work Friday beginning at 10:30 a.m. Access to Taunton Ave. via Exit 4 will remain open. Follow signed detour.

Media Advisory: RIDOT/Building Futures Event

2012-02-08T16:01:00.002-05:00

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation and Building Futures will hold an event next week to highlight a partnership between the two organizations. Please see bit.ly/xcEG5n for more information.

RIDOT's Weekly Traffic Forecast

2012-02-03T15:54:00.000-05:00

RIDOT's Weekly Traffic Forecast for February 4-10, 2012 is now available at: http://www.tmc.dot.ri.gov/traveladvisories/default.asp.

RIDOT to Temporarily Close Portion of I-95 in Pawtucket During Early Morning Hours

2012-02-03T10:37:00.000-05:00

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will temporarily close portions of I-95 South and I-95 North in Pawtucket during the early morning hours on Tuesday, February 7 and Wednesday, February 8, 2012. The temporary closure is necessary for continued work on the installation of the new beams that will ultimately carry northbound traffic on George Street. RIDOT is replacing the George Street Bridge as part of the Pawtucket River Bridge Replacement Project.

The scheduled closure of I-95 South and I-95 North in Pawtucket is as follows:

Tuesday, February 7, 2012 from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. I-95 South between Exit 27 (George Street, Cedar Street, McCoy Stadium, Downtown Pawtucket, North Providence) and the on-ramp from Cedar Street.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012 from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. I-95 North between Exit 27 (George Street, Cedar Street, McCoy Stadium, Downtown Pawtucket, North Providence) and Exit 28 (RI Route 114/School Street, Slater Mill, McCoy Stadium, Memorial Hospital, Pawtucket) will be closed.

The current truck detour will not be affected. The car detour is as follows:

I-95 South Detour:

• Take Exit 27 • Go straight on Cedar Street • Slight left onto I-95 South

I-95 North Detour:

• Take Exit 27 • Go straight on Marrin Street • Continue straight through the traffic signal at George Street (Marrin Street becomes Grace Street) • Continue straight through the signals at Pleasant Street, Water Street, and School Street • Left on Prospect Street • Right on Vernon Street on-ramp to I-95 North

Motorists with questions can contact RIDOT's Customer Service office at 401-222-2450 weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional information will be available on RIDOT's website (www.dot.ri.gov) and its social media sites on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and Blogger.

Contact: Heidi Gudmundson (401) 222-1362, Ext. 4009

RIDOT to Temporarily Close Portion of I-95 in Pawtucket During Early Morning Hours

2012-01-31T10:22:00.002-05:00

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will temporarily close portions of I-95 North and South in Pawtucket during the early morning hours on Wednesday, February 1, Thursday, February 2, and Friday, February 3, 2012. The temporary closure is necessary to complete the installation of the new beams that will ultimately carry northbound traffic on George Street. RIDOT is replacing the George Street Bridge as part of the Pawtucket River Bridge Replacement Project.

The scheduled closure of I-95 North and I-95 South in Pawtucket is as follows:

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 and Thursday, February 2, 2012 from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. I-95 North between Exit 27 (George Street, Cedar Street, McCoy Stadium, Downtown Pawtucket, North Providence) and Exit 28 (RI Route 114/School Street, Slater Mill, McCoy Stadium, Memorial Hospital, Pawtucket) will be closed.

Friday, February 3, 2012 from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. I-95 South between Exit 27 (George Street, Cedar Street, McCoy Stadium, Downtown Pawtucket, North Providence) and the on-ramp from Cedar Street.

The current truck detour will not be affected. The car detour is as follows:

I-95 South Detour:

• Take Exit 27 • Go straight on Cedar Street • Slight left onto I-95 South

I-95 North Detour:

• Take Exit 27 • Go straight on Marrin Street • Continue straight through the traffic signal at George Street (Marrin Street becomes Grace Street) • Continue straight through the signals at Pleasant Street, Water Street, and School Street • Left on Prospect Street • Right on Vernon Street on-ramp to I-95 North

Motorists with questions can contact RIDOT's Customer Service office at 401-222-2450 weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional information will be available on RIDOT's website (www.dot.ri.gov) and its social media sites on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and Blogger.

RIDOT's Weekly Traffic Forecast

2012-01-27T15:55:00.000-05:00

RIDOT's Weekly Traffic Forecast for Jan. 28 - Feb. 3, 2012 is now available at: http://www.tmc.dot.ri.gov/traveladvisories/default.asp.

Traffic Advisory Update:

2012-01-25T13:35:00.001-05:00

Regional Restrictions - West Bay

Warwick: Jefferson Blvd. SB, from Maple St. to the Rte. 37 overpass, right lane closed for drainage work, Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Traffic Advisory Update:

2012-01-25T12:04:00.000-05:00

Interstate Highway Restrictions
East Providence: I-195 WB, from Broadway to India Point Park Pedestrian Bridge, left lane and shoulder closures for bridge inspection, Wednesday from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.; right lane and shoulder closures for bridge inspection, Thursday from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Traffic Advisory Update:

2012-01-25T09:59:00.002-05:00

Interstate Highway Restrictions
Smithfield: I-295 NB, at Exit 8 (Rte. 7), right lane closed for bridge work Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Regional Restrictions - West Bay
Warwick: Rte. 113 WB (Main Ave.), from Industrial Dr. to Groveland Ave., right lane closed for drainage work Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

RIDOT's Weekly Traffic Forecast

2012-01-20T16:18:00.000-05:00

RIDOT's Weekly Traffic Forecast for January 21-27, 2012 is now available at: http://www.tmc.dot.ri.gov/traveladvisories/default.asp.

2012-01-13T15:32:00.001-05:00

RIDOT’s Traffic Forecast for January 14-January 20, 2012 is now available at: http://bit.ly/bMWHHW

2012-01-11T11:33:00.002-05:00

RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis speaks in front of the new travel information wall at T.F. Green Airport.

Traffic Advisory Update: School Street exit closure in Pawtucket rescheduled in advance of inclement weather

2012-01-10T13:56:00.001-05:00

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) has rescheduled a previously planned closure of I-95 North Exit 28 (School Street) in Pawtucket. The work will now take place one day earlier, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 11, 2012.

The closure was rescheduled because of weather forecasts predicting rain on Thursday. Another closure may be necessary from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, January 13, 2012, to complete additional paving work.

For more information, please see 1.usa.gov/w8gUTV.

Traffic Advisory: RIDOT to temporarily close School Street Exit on I-95 North for bridge construction

2012-01-09T11:36:00.000-05:00

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is scheduled to close I-95 North Exit 28 (School Street) in Pawtucket from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, January 12, and Friday, January 13, 2012.

The closure will allow for paving operations on a bridge structure that will temporarily service traffic on I-95 North during the construction of the new Pawtucket River Bridge. The daytime work is necessary because temperatures are too cold for paving during overnight hours.

Please see http://t.co/ek6GD7ZW.

2012-01-06T15:33:00.001-05:00

RIDOT’s Traffic Forecast for January 7-January 13, 2012 is now available at: http://bit.ly/bMWHHW

RIDOT honored by Providence Journal

2012-01-05T10:06:00.000-05:00

RIDOT thanks @ProJo for the "bouquet of roses" it gave us for our "pleasant design & management" of the Iway. http://t.co/31doSiH4

RIDOT to receive 2011 IRF GRAA Award in Asphalt Research

2012-01-04T14:54:00.000-05:00

On Monday, December 19, 2011, the International Road Federation (IRF) announced the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) as one of the winners of the 2011 Global Road Achievement Awards (GRAA) in the category of research. Eight countries and nine projects were represented this year. Awarded projects were chosen by an internati...onal panel of judges whose expertise lies in the industry of roadway development.

Along with RIDOT, the GRAA will be presented jointly to the University of Rhode Island (URI) and the University of Rhode Island Transportation Center (URITC) on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 for their project "Simulating Asphalts on the Molecular Level."

Please see: http://1.usa.gov/xtNjtz for full press release.

2011-12-30T15:40:00.001-05:00

Between midnight and 3A.M. drunk driving takes a life every 23 minutes.
Don’t bring in the New Year by taking it away from someone else.
Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

2011-12-30T15:32:00.000-05:00

RIDOT’s Traffic Forecast for December 31-January 6, 2012 is now available at: http://t.co/MTDDaXDn

2011-12-30T10:33:00.001-05:00

200 people won’t make a New Year’s resolution Due to Drunk Driving; they won’t make it through the first day.
Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

2011-12-29T16:00:00.001-05:00

Nearly 4 out of every 10 fatalities are due to drunk driving. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

RIDOT closing Ten Mile River Bridges early due to deterioration

2011-12-29T10:12:00.002-05:00

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced today that it will close the Ten Mile River Bridges by late afternoon tomorrow, Friday, December 30, 2011. The bridges carry North Broadway over the Ten Mile River and over a nearby small stream in East Providence.

The weight limit on the bridges was posted at 3 tons in July 2011, but the results of a recent inspection revealed deterioration significant enough to prompt RIDOT to close the spans. RIDOT is in the process of awarding a contract for the rehabilitation of these bridges, and was set to close them in late winter for this work. The bridges will remain closed for approximately two years.

"We regret the need to close these bridges ahead of schedule, but motorist safety must be our first concern," RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis said. "We will ensure that the new bridges are completed as expeditiously as possible."

The existing detour route for trucks will remain the same. Passenger vehicles will be able to use a shorter detour. All detour maps will be posted on RIDOT's website (www.dot.ri.gov). The detours are as follows:

North Broadway Detour (Cars Only)

Northbound

• Turn right onto Centre Street

• Turn left onto Pawtucket Avenue

• Turn left onto Newman Avenue

• Follow Newman Avenue, which becomes North Broadway

Southbound

• At the intersection of Newman Avenue and Pawtucket Avenue, follow Pawtucket Avenue southbound

• Turn right onto Centre Street and follow to intersection with North Broadway

North Broadway Detour (Trucks)

Northbound

• Bear left onto Roger Williams Way

• Turn right onto Pawtucket Avenue

• Turn right onto Newman Avenue

• Follow Newman Avenue, which becomes North Broadway

Southbound

• At the intersection of Newman Avenue and Pawtucket Avenue, follow Pawtucket Avenue southbound

• Turn right onto Taunton Avenue

• Turn right onto North Broadway

The work to close the bridges will be done by D'Ambra Construction of Warwick, who is the apparent low bidder for the $2.8 million rehabilitation project. RIDOT will completely replace the superstructure on both bridges.

Those with questions can contact RIDOT's Customer Service office at 401-222-2450 weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional information will be available on RIDOT's social media sites on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and Blogger.

Contact: Charles St. Martin 401-222-1362 x4007

2011-12-29T08:54:00.000-05:00

Pandora bracelet $100, DVD player $150, an Xbox 360 $175.
Having everyone make it home safely for the holidays, priceless.
RIDOT reminds you, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

2011-12-28T15:56:00.000-05:00

The cost of Drunk Driving=1440 injuries & 29 deaths each day.
RIDOT reminds you, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over this New Year.

2011-12-28T09:20:00.001-05:00

What's equivalent to 21 jumbo jet crashes? =11,000 lives lost each year due to impaired driving. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

2011-12-27T13:50:00.000-05:00

RIDOT to temporarily close portion of I-95 during overnight hours in Pawtucket.

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will temporarily close portions of I-95 North and South in Pawtucket during the overnight hours on Wednesday, December 28, and Thursday, December 29. The temporary closure is necessary to erect the new beams that will carry northbound traffic on George Street. RIDOT is replacing the George Street Bridge as part of the Pawtucket River Bridge Replacement Project.

Please see: http://1.usa.gov/sbqnUQ

2011-12-27T10:47:00.001-05:00

37% of driving fatalities that occur in the holiday season are caused by Drunk Driving. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

RIDOT's Weekly Traffic Forecast

2011-12-23T15:02:00.000-05:00

RIDOT’s Traffic Forecast for December 24-30, 2011 is now available at: http://t.co/3ViPoTNV.

2011-12-23T13:41:00.001-05:00

Saving a life is the best gift you can give this holiday season.
Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, the life you save could be your own.

2011-12-23T09:09:00.001-05:00

Don’t be the reason why someone doesn’t make it home safely for the holidays. RIDOT reminds you, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

2011-12-22T15:13:00.000-05:00

RIDOT Says Don't End Up On The Naughty List: Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over.

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is joining national efforts to encourage safe driving throughout the holiday season.

Law enforcement efforts across the country will focus on drinking and driving, and motorists can expect to see an increased police presence on the roads through the New Year celebrations. Nationwide in December 2009, 753 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes.

"Simple precautions such as designating a sober driver and buckling a seat belt can go a long way toward reducing the number of serious injuries and deaths that occur on the nation's roadways at this time of the year," RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis said. "The holidays are certainly a time to celebrate. We just ask that everyone does so safely."

Please see the full press release at: http://1.usa.gov/tm3sE2

2011-12-22T10:44:00.001-05:00

Think money is tight now? Imagine doing your Christmas shopping with a $10,000 dent in your wallet resulting from a Drunk Driving arrest.

Governor, RIDOT expanding travel time information to include I-195

2011-12-21T15:31:00.000-05:00

Governor Lincoln D. Chafee and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced today another expansion of a program designed to give real-time travel information to motorists on Rhode Island highways. This latest addition to the program includes all of I-195 from the Massachusetts line to the I-95 interchange.

Beginning tomorrow, Thursday, December 22, 2011, RIDOT will use existing electronic message boards on I-195 to provide travel time estimates to the I-95 interchange as well as to T.F. Green Airport in Warwick. The Department has been providing travel time estimates on I-95 in Rhode Island since August.

"I am pleased that the state will be further expanding the travel time information program to offer valuable information to our citizens as well as visitors to Rhode Island," Governor Chafee said.

Travel times are displayed to motorists on fixed overhead electronic message signs and on portable roadside electronic message signs from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. This information complements other travel planning services RIDOT has for motorists including 511, the Highway Advisory Radio (1630 AM) and live traffic cameras. RIDOT also recently added real-time travel estimates to its website at www.tmc.dot.ri.gov.

The travel times are calculated using sensors that were previously put into place to measure traffic volumes. The equipment measures the speed of traffic in real time as vehicles travel from one sensor to another, and determines an approximate travel time for each segment of road along the route.

"Due to high traffic volumes, the commute into Rhode Island on I-195 can be challenging," RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis said. "Now those who commute regularly from the East Bay area or Southeastern Massachusetts will have more information to help them with their drive to work or school."

RIDOT also recently expanded travel time information to include the weekends in acknowledgement of increased traffic through the holiday season. This special program runs through January 6, 2012.

Those with questions can contact RIDOT's Customer Service office at 401-222-2450 weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional information may be available on RIDOT's social media sites on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and Blogger.

Contact: Charles St. Martin 401-222-1362 x4007

2011-12-16T15:32:00.001-05:00

The RIDOT Weekly Traffic Forecast for December 17-23, 2011
is available at: http://bit.ly/bMWHI8

Weekapaug Bridge in Westerly Reopened to Traffic

2011-12-13T12:30:00.000-05:00

New to RIDOT Travel Advisories: The Weekapaug Bridge on Atlantic Avenue in Westerly has reopened to traffic.

RIDOT Weekly Traffic Forecast

2011-12-09T15:55:00.001-05:00

The RIDOT Weekly Traffic Forecast for December 10-16, 2011 is now available at: http://t.co/3ViPoTNV.

RIDOT to Help Rhode Islanders in Need by Presenting $1,225 Check to RI Community Food Bank

2011-12-08T09:32:00.001-05:00

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will help brighten the holidays for Rhode Islanders in need by presenting a check for $1,225 to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank at 200 Niantic Avenue in Providence on Friday, December 9, 2011 at 11 a.m.

RIDOT's donation, equal to 3,675 pounds of food, or over 1 ½ tons, was raised through a staff fundraiser and bake-off held at the agency's main headquarters in Providence in early November. The bake-off was attended and judged by celebrity guests Johnson & Wales University, College of Culinary Arts Associate Instructor Frank Terranova and WJAR Channel 10's Weekend Sunrise Anchor and Reporter Mario Hilario.

On hand for Friday's check presentation will be RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis and Rhode Island Community Food Bank Chief Executive Officer Andrew Schiff.

The Rhode Island Community Food Bank provides food to people in need and promotes long-term solutions to the problem of hunger. Since 1982, the Rhode Island Community Food Bank has solicited, stored and distributed surplus food and grocery products to qualified member agency programs that serve Rhode Island's hungry. Millions of pounds of donated food and household products are distributed to the community through their network of more than 250 member agency food programs across Rhode Island.

Contact: Heidi Gudmundson (401) 222-1362, Ext. 4009

Weekly Traffic Forecast

2011-12-02T15:57:00.001-05:00

The RIDOT Weekly Traffic Forecast for December 3-9, 2011, is available at http://bit.ly/bMWHI8.

2011-11-23T06:54:00.001-05:00

In 2009 alone, seat belts saved over 12,000 lives. 3,688 more lives could have been saved. RIDOT reminds you to buckle up this Thanksgiving!

Motorists Should Prepare For Wet Weather, Delays On Busiest Travel Day Of Year

2011-11-22T16:23:00.002-05:00

With steady rain predicted for one of the heaviest travel periods of the year, The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is asking drivers to take it slow and plan ahead before visiting family and friends this Thanksgiving.

Forecasts indicate between one and two inches of rain could fall in many areas of the state tomorrow, Wednesday, November 23, with the heaviest rainfall coming between 2 a.m. and noon. Cold temperatures are expected overnight Wednesday, which may result in some slippery conditions Thursday morning. Today, RIDOT Maintenance crews were checking areas prone to flooding and clearing drains of leaves and debris.

For more information, please see http://1.usa.gov/vC1inT.

2011-11-22T16:23:00.001-05:00

Increased enforcement is in effect this week, Click-it or ticket. RIDOT reminds you this Thanksgiving to please buckle up. No exceptions.

2011-11-22T14:08:00.000-05:00

Seat belts save lives – they are the best defense against crash-related injuries and fatalities. RIDOT says, “Buckle up this Thanksgiving!”

RIDOT to lower speed limit on Route 24 North.

2011-11-22T10:08:00.001-05:00

Beginning this week, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is lowering the speed limit on Route 24 in Portsmouth from 50 miles per hour to 40 miles per hour. This speed reduction will be implemented on Route 24 North only, starting one mile north of Exit 2 (Boyds Lane) and extending to the Sakonnet River Bridge.
RIDOT is lowering the speed limit to improve safety where vehicles entering Route 24 North from the Hummocks Avenue on-ramp merge with highway traffic. The Department recently shifted the travel lanes to the right on Route 24 as part of the Sakonnet River Bridge Replacement Project, leaving less room for traffic to merge than existed in the original lane configuration.
For the full press release, please see: http://www.ri.gov/DOT/press/view.php?id=15275

RIDOT expanding travel time information for the holidays

2011-11-21T10:28:00.000-05:00

In time for increased travel associated with the upcoming holiday season, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced today it will be providing travel time information on I-95 on weekends.

Beginning today, Monday, November 21, 2011, RIDOT will make travel times available seven days a week along the full length of I-95 in Rhode Island, both Northbound and Southbound. Weekend travel time information will be displayed through the holiday season, ending on January 6, 2012.

"With more people on the roads during the holidays, traffic volumes naturally increase beyond what motorists normally expect, even on weekends," RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis said. "We are pleased to be able to provide motorists this information to help them get to their destinations with as much information as we can provide."

Travel times are displayed to motorists on fixed overhead electronic message signs and on portable roadside electronic message signs from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. This information complements other travel planning services RIDOT has for motorists including 511, the Highway Advisory Radio (1630 AM) and live traffic cameras at www.tmc.dot.ri.gov.

The travel times are calculated using sensors that were previously put into place to measure traffic volumes. The equipment measures the speed of traffic in real time as vehicles travel from one sensor to another, and determines an approximate travel time for each segment of road along the route.

Travel time information will be displayed from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Urgent messages such as a vehicle crash or winter storm-related messages will take precedence. Further information on the travel times program can be found at www.dot.ri.gov/travelri/traveltimes.asp. Historical travel times information, including typical busy periods during major holidays, can be found at www.tmc.dot.ri.gov/traveltimes/default.asp.

Those with questions can contact RIDOT's Customer Service office at 401-222-2450 weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional information may be available on RIDOT's social media sites on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and Blogger.

Contact: Charles St. Martin 401-222-1362 x4007

Weekly Traffic Forecast

2011-11-10T16:06:00.000-05:00

The RIDOT Weekly Traffic Forecast for November 11-18, 2011, is available at http://t.co/MTDDaXDn.

RIDOT Talks Turkey

2011-11-09T13:39:00.000-05:00

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will be holding a Rhode Island Community Food Bank Thanksgiving fundraiser on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 1 p.m. in the lobby of RIDOT’s Providence headquarters at Two Capitol Hill. All of the money raised through staff donations will go directly to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.

Every dollar raised at RIDOT’s Food Bank event translates into over three pounds of food for Rhode Islanders in need.

For more information, please see: http://www.ri.gov/DOT/press/view.php?id=15188.

Weekly Traffic Forecast

2011-11-04T16:12:00.000-04:00

The RIDOT Weekly Traffic Forecast for November 5-11, 2011, is available at http://t.co/aTMwnLDR.

RIDOT to Reopen School Street Exit on I-95 North

2011-11-04T14:05:00.001-04:00

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is scheduled to reopen Exit 28 (School Street) on I-95 North in Pawtucket on Sunday, November 6, 2011. The exit had been closed since September 11.

During the closure period, RIDOT built a portion of a bridge structure that will temporarily service traffic on I-95 North during the construction of the new Pawtucket River Bridge.

RIDOT anticipates another closure of Exit 28 during the winter months, but this has not been scheduled yet. When RIDOT is ready to open the new structure that will temporarily service I-95 North traffic, Exit 28 will be closed for approximately two weeks to allow final construction necessary for both the new bridge and Exit 28.

The Pawtucket River Bridge now carrying I-95 North has an 18-ton weight limit, forcing trucks to use long detours via I-295 or Route 146, or local detours on city streets. With the opening of this new structure this winter, RIDOT will be able to eliminate the detour for I-95 North.

At the conclusion of the entire project in 2013, this new bridge structure will remain in place as a service road that will carry on-ramp traffic from George Street and off-ramp traffic to a new Exit 28 to School Street. This new bridge will reduce congestion on I-95 North by providing additional lanes for on- and off-ramp traffic.

Motorists with questions can contact RIDOT’s Customer Service office at 401-222-2450 weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional information will be available on RIDOT’s website (www.dot.ri.gov) and its social media sites on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and Blogger.

Contact: Charles St. Martin 401-222-1362 x4007

RIDOT Receives New England Railroad Club Presidents' Award for the InterLink

2011-11-04T09:01:00.002-04:00

Last evening, Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) Director Michael P. Lewis accepted the New England Railroad Club 2011 Presidents’ Award for the InterLink. The InterLink is the intermodal station at T.F. Green Airport that provides a direct link to the Northeast Corridor and commuter rail service at T.F. Green Station.

The award was given jointly to RIDOT and its project partners, including the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC), Amtrak, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA).

Back in June, RIDOT and RIAC were also honored with a national America’s Transportation Award from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) for the construction of the InterLink.

The T.F. Green Station is part of the $267 million InterLink project for RIDOT and RIAC. The InterLink features a consolidated rental car facility, a bus hub for Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) buses, and a parking garage with spaces to accommodate 1,800 rental cars and 650 commuter vehicles.

Earlier this week, Governor Chafee, RIDOT and RIAC announced the expansion of commuter rail at the InterLink at T.F. Green Airport. The new schedule, which takes effect on Monday, November 14, 2011, nearly doubles the number of stops Monday through Friday on the Providence/Stoughton line.

A further extension of commuter rail service to Wickford Junction Station, close to Route 4 in North Kingstown, is expected in 2012. When this station opens, trains will continue further South to Wickford Junction from T.F. Green Station.

Established in 1883, the New England Railroad Club is dedicated to the sharing of information and knowledge pertaining to the design, construction and operations of railroads in the region. The Presidents’ Award honors those that enhance railroad services in the region and that further contribute to the regional economy and quality of life.

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Contact: Heidi Gudmundson (401) 222-1362, Ext. 4009

Governor, RIDOT, RIAC announce expansion of commuter rail service at T.F. Green

2011-11-01T13:46:00.001-04:00

Governor Lincoln D. Chafee and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) together with the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) are announcing the expansion of commuter rail service to T.F. Green Station in Warwick. The new schedule, which takes effect on Monday, November 14, 2011, nearly doubles the number of stops Monday through Friday on the Providence/Stoughton line.

The commuter rail station is located at the InterLink at T.F. Green Airport and service is provided by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). The MBTA initiated service from Warwick to Providence and Boston on December 6, 2010 with 11 weekday stops. The new service will include 20 weekday stops, and for the first time provide service to and from the Airport to better match up with flight departure and arrival times.

“As Mayor and U.S. Senator, I worked to secure funding for Warwick Station and the InterLink project,” Governor Chafee said. “I am very pleased that commuter service will be expanding and there will now be even more opportunities for Rhode Islanders to take the train to work or T.F. Green Airport. This announcement is a further indication of Warwick’s growing strength as a regional transportation hub.”

The new departure and arrival schedule at T.F. Green Station to Providence and Boston’s South Station is as follows:

Departure Times from T.F. Green

• Inbound to Providence/South Station: 5:05 a.m., 6:13 a.m., 6:52 a.m., 7:15 a.m., 9:23 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 3:50 p.m., 8:50 p.m. and 10:15 p.m.

• Inbound to Providence only: 7:20 p.m.

Arrival Times at T.F. Green

• Outbound from Providence only: 4:50 a.m., 5:53 a.m. and 6:25 a.m.

• Outbound from South Station/Providence: 8:39 a.m., 11:17 a.m., 3:16 p.m., 6:27 p.m., 7:03 p.m., 8:17 p.m. and 9:40 p.m.

The enhanced schedule showing the new departure and arrival times, as well as slight changes to existing stop times, is available on the MBTA’s website at www.mbta.com. The RIDOT website at www.dot.ri.gov includes direct links to schedule and fare information.

“We look forward to additional service at the Airport this fall,” RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis said. “Commuter rail provides motorists with options that can save them the hassles of driving and parking during peak commuting hours while helping to reduce to congestion on our highways.”

“We are pleased with the announcement of expanded MBTA service at the airport,” stated Kevin Dillon, President & CEO of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC). “The additional train service provides enhanced connectivity for travelers looking to fly in and out of T.F. Green. The new MBTA schedule also aligns better with our flight options.”

Ticket fares remain unchanged, and vary by distance traveled. Travel between T.F. Green and Providence costs $2.25 each way. Travel between T.F. Green and Boston costs $8.25 each way. Seniors and persons with disabilities get 50 percent off. Children age 11 and younger are free when accompanied by a paying adult. Monthly passes for unlimited travel between Providence and T.F. Green cost $77. Monthly passes for unlimited travel between T.F. Green and Boston cost $265, which also includes travel on all MBTA buses and subways and the Inner Harbor Ferry.

Parking at the InterLink garage is $6.75 for the first 24 hours. Customers parking beyond 24 hours will incur an additional charge of $30 per day. The monthly commuter parking rate is currently $110 per month. To celebrate the increased service schedule, the monthly rate will be reduced to $95 per month, effective December 1, 2011. Cash and credit cards are accepted.

The T.F. Green Station is part of the $267 million InterLink project for RIDOT and RIAC. The InterLink features a consolidated rental car facility, a bus hub for Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) buses, and a parking garage with spaces to accommodate 1,800 rental cars and 650 commuter vehicles.

A further extension of commuter rail service to Wickford Junction Station, close to Route 4 in North Kingstown, is expected in 2012. When this station opens, trains will continue down to Wickford Junction from T.F. Green Station and provide service there.

Contact: Charles St. Martin (RIDOT) 401-222-1362 x4007 Rebecca Pazienza (RIAC) 401-691-2278

2011-10-31T15:44:00.001-04:00

Halloween doesn’t have to be a terrifying night. So be safe while driving. There’s nothing scarier than people driving drunk.

2011-10-31T14:41:00.000-04:00

RIDOT wants to remind you: This Halloween be a vampire, or be a witch, but never be that person to get behind the wheel after drinking, no one likes that costume.

Traffic Advisory: Delays Expected on I-95 Tomorrow For Paving

2011-10-31T12:08:00.001-04:00

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced today that motorists should expect delays along I-95 North in East Greenwich and West Greenwich tomorrow, Tuesday, November 1, for resurfacing operations.
The right shoulder and right lane on I-95 North will be closed from just south of Exit 6 (Route 3) to Exit 7 (New London Turnpike) beginning at 9 a.m. The on- and off-ramps for Exit 6 and Exit 6A also will be closed, one at a time, for brief periods. For more information, please see http://1.usa.gov/rrKTBZ.

Weekly Traffic Forecast

2011-10-28T15:51:00.001-04:00

The RIDOT Weekly Traffic Forecast for October 29 - November 4, 2011, is available at http://t.co/aTMwnLDR.

Halloween Snows

2011-10-28T15:25:00.001-04:00

White could be the new orange this Halloween weekend. Drive with care especially on snowy or slick roads. Plan ahead. Be safe. #Snowtober

RIDOT enhancing highway safety on I-95 curves in Providence and Pawtucket

2011-10-26T09:55:00.000-04:00

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) has started a project to increase motorist awareness of sharp curves at three locations on I-95 in Providence and Pawtucket. A recent study of these areas showed that improvements could be made to decrease crash rates.

Through a $256,000 contract with RoadSafe Traffic Systems, Inc., RIDOT will be installing numerous reflective signs and markers on I-95 North and South in the area of the Thurbers Avenue curve in Providence (near Exit 18), as well as at the Pawtucket “S” curve (near Exit 29) and the Lonsdale Avenue curve (near Exit 26) in Pawtucket. The work should be finished in mid-November.

One of the most visible improvements is the placement of the words “Curve Ahead” in each lane of the highway leading into each curve, both northbound and southbound. These reflective pavement markings will be complemented by reflective markers embedded in the driving surface, delineating the lanes of travel. Other reflective markers on posts, attached to the top of Jersey barriers and affixed to the side of others barriers, will further illuminate curves and show how the highway changes direction.

“I-95 is safe for travel at the posted speed limits,” RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis said. “However, everyday speeds are sometimes higher in these curves and we anticipate these improvements will grab motorists’ attention and encourage them to slow down.”

In a study of crash data from 2007 through 2009 in this area, RIDOT found that out of an average of 286 crashes per year, 163 were found to be related to the sharp highway curves. A majority of the crashes involved passenger vehicles and most of the incidents involved a single vehicle. About 45 percent of the crashes on the Thurbers Avenue and Lonsdale Avenue curves occurred during rain or snow. On the Pawtucket “S” curve, the percentages are higher: 76 percent of crashes occurred on wet or snowy pavement and more than three-quarters of the crashes involved just one vehicle failing to navigate the curves safely.

The safety improvements on the I-95 curves are being done at the same time as a separate project to install reflective markers along many highways throughout Rhode Island. The markers, typically mounted on short posts and called roadside delineators, are being placed on both sides of the road to complement pavement markings and better define the edges of the roadway, especially during adverse weather. Along curves and exits, their spacing is tighter, providing another visual cue of a change in road direction. RIDOT expects this project to conclude later this fall.

Anyone with questions can contact RIDOT’s Customer Service office at 401-222-2450 weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional information may be available on RIDOT’s website (www.dot.ri.gov) and its social media sites on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and Blogger.

Contact: Charles St. Martin 401-222-1362 x4007

Utility work to close East Bay Bike Path in East Providence

2011-10-24T11:02:00.002-04:00

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) wants to make cyclists and other users of the East Bay Bike Path aware of upcoming sewer construction by the City of East Providence. The work will require the closure of a 2.5-mile segment of the bikeway from the bike path parking lot on Veterans Memorial Parkway to Riverside Square in East Providence.
The path will be closed on Tuesday, November 1, 2011. The affected area will be re-paved and is scheduled to reopen in early Spring 2012.

For more information visit http://www.ri.gov/DOT/press/view.php?id=15051

Weekly Traffic Forecast

2011-10-21T15:47:00.000-04:00

The RIDOT Weekly Traffic Forecast for October 22-28, 2011, is available at http://t.co/aTMwnLDR.

RIDOT, City of Pawtucket Break Ground For New Conant Street Railroad Bridge

2011-10-21T10:30:00.001-04:00

This morning the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) and the City of Pawtucket held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new Conant Street Railroad Bridge. The project will pave the way for future site improvements and economic development in this industrial area.

Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the City-owned Conant Street Railroad Bridge was buil...t in 1913 by the American Bridge Company of New York. The structure carries Conant Street over Amtrak and the Providence and Worcester (P&W) Railroads between Mineral Spring Avenue and Barton and Weeden Streets in Pawtucket. The existing bridge was closed to traffic in 1989 due to structural deterioration.

For more information, please see http://www.ri.gov/DOT/press/view.php?id=15027.

RIDOT, City to Break Ground on Conant Street Railroad Bridge in Pawtucket

2011-10-20T09:13:00.001-04:00

Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) Director Michael P. Lewis will join Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien and other dignitaries on Friday, October 21, 2011 to break ground on the Conant Street Railroad Bridge Replacement Project. The ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. on the Bridge in the City of Pawtucket.

The City-owned Conant Street Railroad Bridge was built in 1913 and carries Conant Street over Amtrak and Providence and Worcester (P&W) Railroad tracks. The bridge, closed since 1989 due to structural deterioration, is undergoing a complete replacement through a $4.3 million construction contract with Cardi Corporation.

RIDOT Director Michael Lewis will lead the event. Scheduled speakers include: Attorney General Peter Kilmartin; Mayor Donald Grebien; and John J. Partridge from the Pawtucket Foundation.

RIDOT Clarifies Transportation for America's Metropolitan Bridge Rankings

2011-10-19T15:29:00.001-04:00

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is correcting a report released today by Transportation for America. The report lists an incorrect number of structurally deficient bridges for Rhode Island.

The number that “The State of Our Nation’s Busiest Bridges” uses for the Providence metro area also includes bridges in New Bedford and Fall River, Massachusetts. Statewide, Rhode Island has 155 bridges that are classified as structurally deficient. The report lists 212.

For more information on Rhode Island’s bridges, please visit the RIDOT website at http://www.dot.ri.gov/engineering/bridges/condition.asp.

Director Lewis named AASHTO VP

2011-10-18T09:04:00.000-04:00

RIDOT Director Michael Lewis elected VP of the national transportation organization AASHTO. See: bit.ly/r39byr

2011-10-17T13:25:00.001-04:00

RIDOT starting construction of steel arches on the Pawtucket River Bridge Project.

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced today that it has started construction of three steel arches for the first element of the new Pawtucket River Bridge.
The arches are one of the most decorative elements of the new span. Using prefabricated sections of steel, RIDOT will assemble these arches quickly. In approximately two week’s time, the steel will completely span the Seekonk River. All schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change.
Please see: http://1.usa.gov/pEed14 for more info.

Weekly Traffic Forecast

2011-10-14T15:37:00.001-04:00

The RIDOT Weekly Traffic Forecast for October 15-21, 2011, is available at http://bit.ly/bMWHI8.

Traffic Advisory: I-95 North Closure in Pawtucket to Take Place Early Monday Morning

2011-10-14T13:32:00.001-04:00

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced today that a portion of I-95 North in Pawtucket will be closed during the early morning hours on Monday, October 17, to remove an overhead sign. Northbound lanes will be closed from midnight to 4 a.m. between Exit 27 (Downtown) and Exit 28 (School Street). The work was postponed from earlier this week.

Please see http://www.ri.gov/DOT/press/view.php?id=14976 for more information.

Traffic Advisory: I-95 North closure postponed

2011-10-11T11:39:00.000-04:00

RIDOT has postponed Wednesday morning's closure of I-95 North at the Pawtucket River Bridge. The overhead sign work is now tentatively scheduled for next week.

Portion of I-95 North in Pawtucket to close during early morning hours Wednesday

2011-10-07T16:32:00.000-04:00

Portion of I-95 North in Pawtucket to close during early morning hours Wednesday. Please see http://1.usa.gov/nzRPcz.

Weekly Traffic Forecast

2011-10-07T16:13:00.002-04:00

The RIDOT Weekly Traffic Forecast for October 8-14, 2011, is available at http://www.tmc.dot.ri.gov/traveladvisories/default.asp.

Weekly Traffic Forecast

2011-09-30T17:08:00.000-04:00

The RIDOT Weekly Traffic Forecast for October 1-7, 2011, is available at http://bit.ly/bMWHHW.

2011-09-30T14:23:00.001-04:00

RIDOT to reopen center channel under the Sakonnet River Bridge.

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced today that it will reopen the center channel under the old Sakonnet River Bridge this weekend. RIDOT will move construction barges from the center channel by 5 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, October 1, 2011. The U.S. Coast Guard expects to have all navigational markers in place... by Sunday, October 2, restoring boat traffic under the bridge.

RIDOT closed the center channel under the bridge on September 10 due to the presence of numerous barges and cranes that were used to set steel beams for the new Sakonnet River Bridge. The Coast Guard established a temporary channel to allow passage of most vessels during this phase of construction.

Please see:http://1.usa.gov/r3EtC6 for more information.

2011-09-30T11:53:00.001-04:00

Rhode Island Department of Transportation

RIDOT urges commuters to plan extra time for Monday commuteThe Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is urging motorists to allow additional time in both their morning and afternoon commutes on Monday, October 3, 2011 in the Providence metropolitan area because of an event at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.

The one-day Get Motivated Business Seminar scheduled to take place on Monday is ...expected to cause significant delays on the highways and city streets in Providence, as the start and end times of this event coincide with the busiest travel times of the day in the Providence area. Parking in garages, surface lots and on city streets may be limited as well.
Please see: http://1.usa.gov/p2VqrM for more information.

2011-09-30T09:13:00.000-04:00

RIDOT to open final Iway ramp .
Please see: http://1.usa.gov/phcbju

I-95 North Welcome Center to permanently close

2011-09-29T09:46:00.001-04:00

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) along with the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) will be permanently closing the I-95 North Welcome Center today, Thursday, September 29, 2011. The facility, located between exits 2 and 3 on the Interstate, is being closed due to a lack of funds and changes in tourism trends nationwide.

RIDOT budgets $400,000 annually for the Welcome Center. RIEDC operates the facility. RIDOT has many expenses and can no longer continue paying for the center.

The Welcome Center is not used the way it once was. When it opened in 1989, travelers would pick up informational brochures and maps as well as get directions. The Internet and GPS devices have replaced these more outdated approaches to getting information. Today the Center is mainly used as a place to rest or find a bathroom and that can be done at other locations. Exit 3 (Route 138) has many gas stations, restaurants and convenience stores close to the highway interchange. Additionally, a large truck stop is located at Exit 5B (Route 102) in West Greenwich.

Currently the building is open 7 days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The parking lot is open 24/7.

“RIDOT Maintenance personnel will close off access with Jersey barrier after the area permanently closes,” said Michael P. Lewis, RIDOT’s Director.

RIEDC will let three full time and three part time employees go. They will be eligible for unemployment and job placement assistance from the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training.

Contact:

Charles St. Martin 401-222-1362 x4007 Judy Chong, RI EDC, 401-278-9100 x169

2011-09-26T14:00:00.001-04:00

Weekapaug Bridge in Westerly closing for repairs.
Please see the press release: http://t.co/iSipGE8E
and detour map http://t.co/i8C3znbr

Weekly Traffic Forecast

2011-09-23T16:12:00.000-04:00

The RIDOT Weekly Traffic Forecast for September 24-30, 2011, is available at http://t.co/aTMwnLDR.

RIDOT publishes new statewide bike map

2011-09-22T11:56:00.001-04:00

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced today that the latest edition of the statewide bicycling map, Guide to Cycling in the Ocean State 2011-2012, is now available.

The new bike map highlights more than 50 miles of off-road bikeways across Rhode Island’s network of eight major bike paths. The map includes RIDOT’s newest bike paths such as the 2.5-mile Quonset Bike Path and the 1-mile Warren Bike Path, and new bike path segments on the Blackstone River Bikeway, the Coventry Greenway (part of the Washington Secondary Bike Path) and the William C. O’Neill (South County) Bike Path. Designated parking lots for each path are also indicated on the map.

For experienced on-road cyclists, the map highlights hundreds of miles of roads marked as suitable and most suitable for cycling. The map also provides valuable information about steep grades and the direction of the uphill and downhill segments along these roads.

“RIDOT takes great pride in supporting the bicycling community and we’re hoping all cyclists will pick up a copy of the map to take with them on their next ride,” RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis said.

The map is printed on a synthetic paper that is waterproof and tear resistant, and can be unfolded and refolded hundreds of times without ripping. This recyclable map was printed with environmentally-friendly vegetable oil inks. All scrap material leftover from printing was reground and extruded into material to make park benches and decking.

Copies of the Guide to Cycling in the Ocean State 2011-2012 are available by completing an online request form at www.dot.ri.gov/bikeri/maprequests/bikemaprequest.asp or by contacting RIDOT’s Customer Service either by e-mail (CustomerService@dot.ri.gov) or by phone (401-222-2450). In addition, the map can be viewed or downloaded through the RIDOT web site at: www.dot.ri.gov/bikeri.

Contact: Charles St. Martin 401-222-1362 x4007

Seat Check Saturday

2011-09-21T15:07:00.001-04:00

RIDOT is supporting the efforts of the Rhode Island Safe Kids Coalition, which is hosting "Seat Check Saturday" on September 24. Parents can visit the Kohl's at Smithfield Crossing in Smithfield from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to ask questions or have their car seat checked by a certified technician.

Child Passenger Safety Week chat

2011-09-21T10:26:00.000-04:00

Ask your child safety questions on Twitter today at 2 p.m. ET. Safety experts from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and AAA will answer questions in a live virtual discussion. Follow @childseatsafety and send your questions using #cpsweek.

2011-09-20T16:05:00.001-04:00

Concerned your child’s car seat is not the right fit for your child? Roughly 3 out of 4 child safety seats are not used correctly. Call a safety technician in your area and find out: http://bit.ly/qf9G05. View the R.I. laws that protect children: http://bit.ly/q8MCpd.

2011-09-20T14:40:00.001-04:00

Car crashes are the leading cause of death among children 4 to 14. The appropriate restraint can reduce that risk as much as 71%, so don't skip a step. When your child is between 4 and 8 years old, use a booster seat! Find out more: http://1.usa.gov/bvUDUG.#cpsweek

RIDOT to reduce travel lanes on Orms Street Bridge over I-95

2011-09-16T13:43:00.001-04:00

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is scheduled to reduce the number of travel lanes on the Orms Street Bridge in Providence, from Park Street to Douglas Avenue, from four lanes to two lanes beginning on Sunday, September 18, 2011, at approximately 8 p.m. RIDOT will maintain one lane of travel in each direction on the bridge over I-95 at all times.

RIDOT will begin demolition and reconstruction of the southern half of the 47-year-old bridge next week. By reducing the number of travel lanes and shifting them to the north, the Department can replace the bridge without closing it. With the new lane configuration, motorists may encounter delays, particularly during the afternoon rush hour.

The two-lane configuration will remain in place until Spring 2012. At that time, RIDOT will shift the two-lane configuration onto the new section of the Orms Street Bridge and then demolish and replace the northern half of the structure. The original four-lane traffic pattern will be re-established in Spring 2013. The northern end of Park Street where it meets Orms Street will remain closed until the end of the project in Summer 2013.

In the coming weeks, motorists can expect overnight lane closures on I-95 North and South. During this work, RIDOT also may temporarily close Exit 23 (State Offices) overnight but will keep at least one lane of travel open on the ramp to Route 146. Motorists who normally use the State Office exit should follow a detour using Route 146 North to the Branch Avenue exit, turning right onto Branch Avenue, right onto Charles Street and right to return to Orms Street. RIDOT’s Travel Advisories website, www.tmc.dot.ri.gov/traveladvisories, will have detailed information about scheduled lane closures.

The Orms Street Bridge Safety Improvement Project began in early August. It involves full bridge deck replacement and rehabilitation of the remaining structure, installation of new fencing, installation of new roadway joints, sidewalk replacement, and preparing and repainting existing structural steel.

Through a $4.6 million contract with Cardi Corporation, the project also includes roadway improvements to Orms Street, such as resurfacing, resetting of granite curb, installation of signing and pavement markings, and the installation of video detection equipment at the traffic signals. This equipment will replace the current loop detectors and will help to better manage traffic flow.

Contact: Charles St. Martin 401-222-1362 x4007

Woonasquatucket River Bikeway

2011-09-15T15:34:00.000-04:00

A portion of the Woonasquatucket River Bikeway has been closed for utility work. Please see http://1.usa.gov/nUnSHb.

Weekly Traffic Forecast

2011-09-09T15:50:00.001-04:00

The RIDOT Weekly Traffic Forecast for September 10-16, 2011, is available at http://t.co/rw8uCDh.

RIDOT to close School Street Exit on I-95 North as part of Pawtucket River Bridge Project

2011-09-08T11:58:00.000-04:00

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is scheduled to close I-95 North Exit 28 (School Street) in Pawtucket on Sunday, September 11, 2011. The closure is necessary to allow for construction of a bridge structure that will temporarily service traffic on I-95 North during the construction of the new Pawtucket River Bridge.

The closure will occur after 9 p.m. on Sunday and be in place for approximately eight weeks. This will allow the Department to complete work as quickly as possible. Once Exit 28 reopens, additional work remains before RIDOT can temporarily shift all of the I-95 North traffic to the bridge in Winter 2011/2012.

The bridge now carrying I-95 North has an 18-ton weight limit, forcing trucks to use long detours via I-295 or Route 146, or local detours on city streets. With the opening of this new structure this winter, RIDOT will be able to eliminate the detour for I-95 North.

“We apologize for any disruption or delay that closing Exit 28 may cause,” RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis said. “We want to eliminate the weight limit and get the truck traffic off the city streets as quickly as possible, and this closure will help us do that.”

RIDOT will establish signed detour routes using Exit 27 (Downtown) or Exit 29 (Broadway/Cottage Street). Detailed information, including detour maps, will be available at RIDOT’s website at www.dot.ri.gov.

The Department has been coordinating with the City of Pawtucket to identify businesses and events that attract large volumes of traffic. Memorial Hospital, the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Pawtucket Arts Festival are among them. Separate detour maps for those seeking to reach those destinations also will be available on the RIDOT website.

“We look forward to working with our friends from the Department of Transportation to make coming to playoff games at McCoy as convenient as possible for our fans,” said PawSox President Mike Tamburro.

Constructing a new Pawtucket River Bridge is a high priority for the Department. The bridge is being replaced through an $81 million contract with S&R Corporation/Pihl., Inc. The project is scheduled for completion in Summer 2013. All schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change.

The new bridge structure that will be under construction during the Exit 28 closure will remain in place as a service road that will carry on-ramp traffic from George Street and off-ramp traffic to a new Exit 28 to School Street. This new bridge will reduce congestion on I-95 North by providing additional lanes for on- and off-ramp traffic.

Motorists with questions can contact RIDOT’s Customer Service office at 401-222-2450 weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional information will be available on RIDOT’s website (www.dot.ri.gov) and its social media sites on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and Blogger.

Contact: Charles St. Martin 401-222-1362 x4007

Weekly Traffic Forecast

2011-09-02T15:55:00.000-04:00

The RIDOT Weekly Traffic Forecast for September 3-9, 2011, is available at http://t.co/LDbfyMR.

First Barberville Bridge reopens

2011-09-02T09:35:00.000-04:00

The First Barberville Bridge, located on Arcadia Road near the Hopkinton/Richmond town line, was reopened to traffic this morning. It was closed last year for flood repairs.

2011-08-29T16:04:00.001-04:00

RIDOT to perform crack sealing on the East Bay Bike Path.
Please see: http://lnk.ms/THQR1

RIDOT urges caution for morning commute

2011-08-28T20:47:00.000-04:00

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is urging residents to take caution when driving through the after-effects of Hurricane Irene. Although the storm has passed, there is still debris in the road, and a significant number of traffic signals are offline statewide because of power outages. This is in addition to reported outages at signals maintained by cities and towns.

RIDOT Maintenance crews will be working through the night to repair traffic signals that are operational but need to be reset, and will continue to check other signals as power is restored to affected areas.

Commuters should give themselves extra time to get to work in the morning, as delays are expected along several roadways. RIDOT will be working with State and local police to have officers at major intersections, but motorists who approach a signal without power where no police officer is present should treat it as a four-way stop. Drivers approaching the intersection should yield to vehicles that have already started to proceed, and motorists should always yield to the right when two vehicles arrive at the same time.

“This is not going to be a normal morning commute,” RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis said. “We are asking drivers to be patient and courteous as we work to bring these signals back online.”

Anyone with questions can contact RIDOT’s Customer Service office at 401-222-2450 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional information will be available on RIDOT’s website (www.dot.ri.gov) and its social media sites on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and Blogger.

Contact: Bryan Lucier 401-222-1362 x4012

2011-08-26T16:04:00.001-04:00

Preparing for heavy rain and wind associated with #Irene, RIDOT is securing construction sites and clearing drainage “hot spots”.

2011-08-26T13:48:00.001-04:00

Plan ahead for #Irene. RIDOT wants to remind motorists that they should conclude travel before storm starts. Tips: http://t.co/n3G2O7n

2011-08-26T12:02:00.000-04:00

RIDOT is prepping for #Irene, drivers should too.
Fill up your tank before the storm.
Tips: http://t.co/43pHYcp

Hurricane Irene

2011-08-25T09:01:00.001-04:00

RIDOT is preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Irene. Please visit http://t.co/hsych2q for more information on the storm.

RIDOT to enhance highway safety with installation of reflective markers

2011-08-24T09:55:00.002-04:00

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) has begun installation of a series of safety reflective markers that will make nighttime driving easier and safer. Known as roadside delineators, the markers will be installed along mostly highways through a $1.5 million contract with RoadSafe Traffic Systems, Inc. of Avon, Mass.

Along straightaway sections of highways, the markers will be placed on both sides of the road to complement pavement markings and better define the edges of the roadway. Along curves and exits, their spacing will be tighter, providing another visual cue of a change in road direction.

Some of these markers will be mounted on small posts and others will be mounted on top of existing concrete barriers. The work is expected to conclude in late Fall 2011.

“These improvements will go a long way toward improving visibility and safety for drivers,” RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis said. “Once they are installed, the light cast from each vehicle’s headlamps will light up these reflectors and provide a clearer guide to the road ahead.”

The new markers also will help improve visibility during adverse weather.

Highway segments in this contract include:

Interstate Highways

• I-95 from Exit 8 to the Massachusetts state line

• I-195

• I-295

Other Highways & Bridges

• Route 4

• Route 6 (from Route 10 in Providence to the Connecticut state line, including Hartford Avenue and Danielson Pike)

• Route 6/10 Connector

• Route 10

• Route 24

• Route 37

• Route 78

• Route 99

• Route 114 (East Shore Expressway in East Providence)

• Route 138 (from Route 1 in North Kingstown to after the Pell Bridge in Newport)

• Route 146

• Route 403

• Airport Connector in Warwick

• Henderson Bridge in Providence and East Providence

The contract with RoadSafe Traffic Systems involves installation of other reflective markers to highlight potential roadside hazards, such as guardrail ends, bridge piers or other fixed objects. Additionally, RIDOT will install updated mile markers along Routes 4, 6, 10 (including the Route 6/10 Connector), 78, 99 and 403. Last year, RIDOT updated mile markers along Interstate highways in Rhode Island.

Anyone with questions can contact RIDOT’s Customer Service office at 401-222-2450 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional information will be available on RIDOT’s website (www.dot.ri.gov) and its social media sites on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and Blogger.

Contact: Charles St. Martin 401-222-1362 x4007

Governor Chafee, RIDOT, announce Federal transportation grant award

2011-08-22T13:44:00.000-04:00

Governor Lincoln D. Chafee and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) today announced that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has awarded $1.6 million in grants to Rhode Island for a series of road and bridge projects. The grants are among a nationwide distribution of funds which RIDOT applied for earlier this summer.

The grants include:

• $847,860 for projects related to transit-oriented development in the area of the train station at the InterLink facility at T.F. Green State Airport.

• A waiver of the customary 20 percent state match (valued at approximately $600,000) for replacement of the East Shore Expressway Bridge in East Providence.

• $350,000 for replacement of three structurally deficient bridges in and near the Arcadia Management Area in Exeter.

• $250,260 for training to help disadvantaged business enterprises prepare to compete for Federal highway contracts.

• $225,000 to provide additional training to help individuals prepare for careers in highway construction.

“I believe that one of the most valuable investments our state can make is in our infrastructure,” Governor Chafee said. “These federal grants will help Rhode Island plan for the future, in addition to strengthening our infrastructure-related construction economy. I am particularly pleased that a significant portion of the funds will go toward further developing Warwick’s Station District. As Mayor and U.S. Senator, I fought to make the InterLink project a reality and I look forward to seeing the advancements and improvements these funds will enable.”

The largest of the grants for projects near the T.F. Green Station is provided under FHWA’s Transportation, Community, and System Preservation Program. The funds will be used to advance and implement the Warwick Station Development District Master Plan developed by the City of Warwick. The Plan is expected to guide approximately 1.5 million square feet of mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly development. It envisions a highly-visible, mixed-use, transit-oriented growth center within walking distance of a full range of transportation and live/work options. The City is seeking to capitalize on the public investment in multimodal transportation infrastructure by promoting high-value, mixed-use development to attract visitors and business people who use the station and airport while providing a center of opportunity for new development.

“Having well-developed streets and sidewalks is a key component of integrating the InterLink into the City of Warwick and supporting the District for future development,” RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis said. “The end result is a better connection between the City, the Airport, the InterLink and the T.F. Green commuter rail station.”

“We are grateful to the Federal Highway Administration for recognizing how important this project is to the economic vitality and growth of the city and the state as a whole,” said Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian. “These funds will help us to move forward more quickly with construction on critical pedestrian and safety infrastructure improvements, allowing us to market and develop the District earlier than we had originally projected.”

RIDOT’s relief of the 20 percent state match for the East Shore Expressway Bridge was received under the FHWA’s Highways for Life program. This bridge, which carries traffic from I-195 East onto Exit 7 (Route 114) and over Warren Avenue in East Providence, was built in 1959 and is considered structurally deficient. In May, RIDOT posted a 17-ton weight limit on this bridge. The route is the primary access route to the East Bay area of Rhode Island.

The replacement of the East Shore Expressway Bridge will be done using accelerated bridge construction methods which will substantially shorten construction time. As currently proposed, components of the replacement bridge would be built off site and moved into position using self-propelled modular transporters. These devices were used on the Iway project, chiefly for moving the new Providence River Bridge from its assembly site at the Quonset Business Park to barges waiting to transport it to Providence in 2006.

The rehabilitation of three bridges in the Arcadia Management Area in Exeter falls under FHWA’s Innovative Bridge Research and Deployment Program. They include the Breakheart Brook Bridge, the Frosty Hollow Road Bridge and Midway Bridge. These small-span timber decked bridges are structurally deficient. They also will be built using accelerated bridge construction methods to complete the bridge replacement projects much faster as compared with conventional construction methods.

The two training grants are funded by the FHWA Civil Rights office. They will support the Department’s efforts to aid minority-owned businesses through its Mission 360 program for disadvantaged business enterprises and its workforce development and on-the-job training programs.

Contact: Charles St. Martin 401-222-1362 x4007

I-95 Exits to Close Overnight for Resurfacing Beginning Next Week

2011-08-19T16:41:00.000-04:00

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced today that several exits along I-95 that provide access to Coventry, East Greenwich, West Greenwich and West Warwick will experience overnight closures for resurfacing operations beginning next week.

The work, part of a $7.5 million contract with J.H. Lynch to resurface 6.6 miles of I-95 in southern Rhode Island, will take place Sunday-Thursday nights from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. through October. The project will affect Exits 6, 6A, 7 and 8 on both I-95 Northbound and Southbound, including on- and off-ramps. Drivers should expect rough surfaces due to milled pavement.

This is the third contract for resurfacing on I-95 in southern Rhode Island in the past two years.

All work is weather-dependent and subject to change. For a specific list of dates and times these exits will be closed, please visit the RIDOT Travel Advisories website at http://www.tmc.dot.ri.gov/traveladvisories/default.asp.

Those with questions can contact RIDOT’s Customer Service office at 401-222-2450 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional information will be available on RIDOT’s website (www.dot.ri.gov) and its social media sites on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and Blogger.

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Contact: Bryan Lucier (401) 222-1362 x. 4012

Colebrook Road to Temporarily Close During Daytime Hours for Paving

2011-08-19T15:54:00.000-04:00

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced today that it will close a small section of Colebrook Road in Little Compton over three days next week for resurfacing.

The 0.4 mile stretch of road, which runs between Old Stone Church Road and Route 179 (Stone Church Road), will be closed for a paving operation beginning at noon on Monday, August 22, 2011, and continuing Tuesday and Wednesday, August 23 and 24, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. At the end of each day, the road will be reopened to traffic.

Cardi Corporation is performing the work through a $1.4 million contract to resurface 1.8 miles of Colebrook Road from Long Highway to Main Street, including some side streets.

RIDOT has established a signed detour route for this closure using Old Stone Church Road and Stone Church Road. Local access will be available to residents who live along John Dyer Road.

All work is weather-dependent and subject to change.

Those with questions can contact RIDOT’s Customer Service office at 401-222-2450 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional information will be available on RIDOT’s website (www.dot.ri.gov) and its social media sites on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and Blogger.

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Contact: Bryan Lucier (401) 222-1362 x. 4012