News Summary
Starting July 28, RIDOT will reduce Eddy Street over Interstate 95 to one lane amid urgent structural repairs. Traffic patterns will change along Broad Street, affecting motorists and cyclists. Access to certain streets will be limited as repairs proceed with a long-term goal to ensure safety by 2028.
Providence, Rhode Island – Starting July 28, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will implement a significant lane reduction on Eddy Street over Interstate 95. This change is due to urgent structural concerns regarding the Eddy Street Bridge, which has been classified as structurally deficient.
Beginning next week, the bridge will be reduced to one lane, with an alternating traffic pattern for vehicles traveling both north and southbound. This change will remain in effect indefinitely as RIDOT undertakes essential repairs on the bridge. Motorists are encouraged to plan their travel accordingly and seek alternate routes when possible.
In addition to the changes on Eddy Street, there will also be modifications to traffic patterns on Broad Street. Starting on a Friday night, traffic will shift onto the northbound side of the Broad Street Bridge for necessary repair work. This could cause delays for drivers utilizing Broad Street in the area. Furthermore, access to Detroit Avenue from Broad Street will be completely closed during the construction process.
Due to the ongoing work on the Broad Street Bridge, cyclists should be advised that bike lanes over the bridge will be temporarily shut down. However, one sidewalk will remain open for pedestrians throughout the construction period. RIDOT recommends that cyclists dismount and walk their bikes across the bridge until all repairs are completed.
As part of the construction work, certain sections of the Eddy Street Bridge will also be closed. Access to Byfield Street from Eddy Street will not be available during this period, complicating travel in the vicinity of the bridge. For drivers heading south on Eddy Street, there will be a detour that redirects them via Thurbers Avenue, Broad Street, and Baker Street until the project is finished.
These bridges are not only vital for local traffic, but are also among the two bridges in Providence that have been deemed in a state of structural deficiency, with the Broad Street Bridge being the other. The condition of these bridges has raised concerns over the safety and reliability of the transportation network in this part of the city.
RIDOT is committed to ensuring that both bridges will be fully operational by the year 2028, providing a long-term solution to address the structural issues at hand. Until then, the community is urged to remain patient and vigilant as necessary repairs are undertaken to restore safety and functionality to these important transit routes.
For further details and updates about these traffic changes, individuals can visit RIDOT’s official website. Consistent monitoring of road conditions and construction updates will help in navigating the altered traffic patterns in the area as the work progresses.
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