News Summary
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation is shifting all travel lanes on I-95 at the Route 10 interchange as part of a major reconstruction project involving 15 bridges. The project aims to improve safety and infrastructure, addressing structurally deficient bridges along a 10-mile stretch of highway. This extensive work will last until 2031 and includes a range of enhancements designed to elevate construction standards while ensuring ongoing accessibility for drivers.
Cranston, Rhode Island – Starting Friday, all travel lanes on Interstate 95 (I-95) northbound and southbound will shift to the right at the Route 10 interchange as part of a significant reconstruction project involving 15 bridges. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced this lane shift, which will implement narrowed lanes while keeping all on and off-ramps operational. This shift is effective until the 2026 construction season, with additional updates regarding lane shifts anticipated in the future.
The I-95 15 bridges project focuses on enhancing safety and infrastructure by addressing the condition of numerous bridges in the area. Notably, nine of the fifteen bridges subject to the project are classified as structurally deficient, including three bridges that rank among the five most-traveled structurally deficient bridges in Rhode Island. The goal of the project is to remove the bridges from the state’s backlog of deficient structures along I-95 and Route 10, which stretches from Providence to Warwick.
RIDOT further emphasizes the importance of safety during this construction phase, advising drivers to reduce their speed, remain attentive, and navigate carefully through the work zone to minimize the risk of accidents.
The cost of the 15-bridge project is estimated at $723 million, with funding bolstered by a federal grant of $251 million, received from the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This funding will support repairs, replacements, or removals of bridges, enhancing infrastructure integrity in the state.
Details of the Project
The project will also involve a complete redesign of the Route 10 interchange with I-95 at the Huntington Viaduct. The improvements include raising the vertical clearance above I-95 to prevent trucks from impacting the undersides of the bridges. Current conditions note that nine bridges targeted for improvement are classified as “poor,” while six fall into the “low-fair” category.
This extensive project covers approximately 10 miles along I-95, beginning at I-195 and extending to an area along the Pawtuxet River near the Pastore Complex in Cranston. Planned enhancements include the repaving of the entire I-95 corridor within the project reach and improvements to median barriers.
Future Plans and Progress
Additionally, the Rhode Island DOT is shifting its approach to the stretch of Route 10 from Park Avenue to the north side of I-95, converting it from a limited-access freeway to a “boulevard,” which is expected to improve access and safety in the area. Concurrently, RIDOT is completing a $265 million overhaul of Route 37, which falls within the same project area, to further enhance regional transportation infrastructure.
Work on the I-95 project is slated to commence this year and is projected to conclude in 2031. Skanska USA, McCourt Construction, and Aetna Bridge have combined their efforts to undertake the reconstruction and removal of the bridges, successfully becoming the sole bidder for the contract.
Over the past eight years, Rhode Island’s DOT has made strides by reducing the number of structurally deficient bridges in the state by 12%. The anticipated results of the I-95 project include a further 7.6% reduction in poorly rated bridges, effectively removing three from the top five most-traveled deficient structures in Rhode Island.
The Rhode Island community is urged to stay informed of future lane shifts and project developments as construction progresses, with a commitment to advancing the quality and safety of essential transportation infrastructure throughout the region.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Providence Announces Lane Closures for Hurricane Barrier Repair
Comprehensive Reconstruction of Providence Bridges Begins
Additional Resources
- Patch: Lane Shifts Bridge Project Coming to I-95 Cranston
- Wikipedia: Bridge
- Global Highways: $625 Million Rhode Island Bridge Repair Plan
- Google Search: Rhode Island bridges
- Providence Journal: I-95 Bridges in RI to be Replaced or Eliminated
- Google Scholar: Rhode Island transportation infrastructure
- Roads & Bridges: RIDOT to Start Construction on I-95 Bridges
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Transportation infrastructure
- PBN: RIDOT to Fix and Replace 15 Bridges along I-95 Corridor
- Google News: Rhode Island construction projects
- Warwick Online: I-295 to Gain a Lane, Other Projects Roll into 2025
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
