News Summary
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation has launched a significant reconstruction project for the Broad Street and Eddy Street bridges over I-95, slated for completion in 2028. These structurally deficient bridges will undergo extensive repairs, affecting traffic patterns as construction begins this weekend. Federal funding of $251 million has been allocated for this project, alongside initiatives to improve additional infrastructure in the area, highlighting Rhode Island’s commitment to enhancing transportation safety and efficiency.
Providence
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will begin a comprehensive reconstruction project for the Broad Street and Eddy Street bridges over I-95, with a timeline that spans the next three years. Both bridges have been classified as structurally deficient, highlighting an urgent need for repairs and upgrades.
Construction on the Broad Street bridge starts this coming weekend, necessitating a shift in traffic patterns. Beginning Friday night, vehicles on Broad Street will be redirected to the northbound side of the bridge. The access to Detroit Avenue from Broad Street will be closed during this period. In addition, bike lanes across the Broad Street bridge will be temporarily closed, although one sidewalk will remain accessible to pedestrians. Cyclists are advised to dismount and walk their bikes over the bridge to ensure safety.
Similarly, a segment of the Eddy Street bridge will also close on Friday night, impacting access to Byfield Street. Pedestrian access on one side of the Eddy Street bridge will remain open throughout the construction. During this period, southbound traffic will be rerouted via Thurbers Avenue, Broad Street, and Baker Street to alleviate congestion and improve safety around construction zones.
The anticipated reopening of both bridges is expected to occur sometime in 2028, as RIDOT embarks on this significant infrastructure improvement project.
Federal Funding Assistance
This substantial reconstruction initiative is made possible following the announcement by the Rhode Island congressional delegation on May 7, regarding the unfreezing of $251 million in federal funds allocated for bridge repairs along I-95. These funds were previously withheld by the Trump administration, creating a backlog of much-needed infrastructure projects. Importantly, this funding adds to the already secured $221 million designated for the Washington Bridge reconstruction.
The unfrozen federal funds will facilitate the enhancement of 15 bridges over approximately 10 miles of the National Highway System, catering to daily traffic that includes around 180,000 vehicles and 9,000 heavy freight vehicles. RIDOT’s plan includes replacing 11 bridges, eliminating four, and enhancing vertical clearances on I-95 to minimize bridge strikes, thereby improving traffic flow and safety.
Additional Infrastructure Developments
The federal funds will be distributed through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bridge Investment Program, a program established by Rhode Island Senators Reed and Whitehouse in 2021. In addition to the bridge projects, East Providence will also receive $549,770 aimed at improving traffic circulation to benefit local motorists.
RIDOT has awarded a contract to Jacobs for planning the demolition of the westbound span of the Washington Bridge, a key structure which faced closure in late 2023 due to severe structural defects. This demolition project, to be executed by Aetna Bridge Company, is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025.
Ongoing Construction on I-95
In conjunction with the bridge projects, RIDOT has also announced upcoming lane closures on I-95 to replace the Elmwood Avenue Bridge. These closures will affect two left lanes on I-95 north, along with the left lane on I-95 south, as well as Elmwood Avenue at the I-95 overpass. The closures will take effect at 8 p.m. on Friday and are expected to reopen by 5 a.m. on Monday. Drivers are advised to utilize alternate routes such as Route 10 or I-295 to avoid significant delays during this construction period.
The Elmwood Avenue Bridge marks the beginning of a series of repairs and replacements that involve a total of 15 bridges along I-95 and Route 10 between Providence and Warwick, underscoring RIDOT’s commitment to improving the safety and efficiency of the state’s transportation infrastructure.
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Additional Resources
- Providence Journal: Federal Funding for RI Bridges
- Global Highways: Providence Bridge Demolition Deal
- Turnto10: RIDOT I-95 Lane Closures
- Pottsmerc: Black Rock Road Bridge Replacement
- Rhode Island Current: Washington Bridge Rebuild Contenders
- Wikipedia: Rhode Island
- Google Search: Rhode Island bridge construction
- Google Scholar: road infrastructure Rhode Island
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Rhode Island
- Google News: RI bridge replacement
