RIDOT Implements Major Traffic Changes in Warwick

News Summary

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation is set to implement significant traffic changes in Warwick starting Friday night, focusing on improving flow and safety. Route 113 will see altered traffic patterns, with two lanes open but an exit to I-95 remaining closed. Additional lanes will also open on the I-95 northbound Providence viaduct service road. These changes come in response to recent safety concerns, including a traffic fatality. The adjustments aim to enhance roadway conditions and community safety, essential as travel demand increases in the region.

Warwick, RI – The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is set to implement significant traffic changes starting Friday night, aiming to improve flow and safety across various routes in the region. The updates will commence with a traffic pattern alteration on Route 113, specifically where it crosses over I-95 and I-295.

As part of the new arrangements, two travel lanes in each direction will remain accessible for traffic on the eastbound side of Route 113. However, the exit from Route 113 east to I-95 will continue to be closed. All other exits and ramps along Route 113 are expected to remain open. This revised traffic pattern is scheduled to be in effect until mid-summer, providing travelers predictability during the busy season.

In addition to the changes in Warwick, RIDOT will also open extra travel lanes off I-95 north. Specifically, the northbound Providence viaduct service road at exit 38, which leads to Route 146 and the State Offices, will have additional lanes made available starting Friday night at 9 PM. These lanes are anticipated to be functional by 6 AM on Saturday.

The impetus for these changes comes on the heels of a recent traffic fatality in Warwick, which highlighted ongoing safety concerns on the state’s roadways. This incident involved a 33-year-old man who exited a moving vehicle and was subsequently struck by other vehicles on Interstate 95. Following an investigation, the Office of State Medical Examiners classified the death as a suicide. This unfortunate incident ended a noteworthy period of eleven weeks without traffic fatalities in Rhode Island, a trend that ran until May 2023.

RIDOT’s Director has pointed out that traffic fatalities should not simply be regarded as statistics but rather human lives lost. The department has acknowledged the role of community engagement and public awareness in improving road safety, crediting the citizens for their part in achieving a notable reduction in traffic deaths.

Over the past 15 years, Rhode Island has seen a marked decrease in traffic fatalities. In the early 2000s, annual death counts frequently surpassed 80. The state recorded 52 fatalities in 2022 and experienced a rise to 71 in 2023. As for the current year, there have been 52 deaths as of 2024, with seven fatalities logged by RIDOT as of May 2, 2025.

The traffic changes are part of ongoing efforts to enhance roadway conditions and safety. Additional modifications are planned for May 16, specifically targeting the Broad Street Bridge and Eddy Street Bridge. Traffic on Broad Street will be shifted to the side of the Broad Street Bridge that normally accommodates northbound traffic. This alteration will result in the temporary closure of bike lanes and access to Detroit Avenue.

Moreover, a section of the Eddy Street Bridge will also be closed, necessitating the establishment of a detour for southbound traffic that will redirect vehicles to Thurbers Avenue, Broad Street, and Baker Street. Both the Broad Street and Eddy Street construction projects are anticipated to be completed by 2028, underlining the commitment to improving transportation infrastructure in the region.

As traffic conditions evolve, residents and visitors are urged to stay informed of updates and prepare for potential disruptions. The RIDOT continues to prioritize safety improvements and effective traffic management strategies to enhance the overall commuting experience across Rhode Island.

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Additional Resources

• ABC6: RIDOT Announces Highway Lane Shifts in Warwick
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Safety
• Providence Journal: Rhode Island Avoids Traffic Fatalities
• Google Search: Rhode Island Traffic Changes
• ABC6: RIDOT to Make Traffic Changes in Providence
• Google News: Rhode Island Traffic Fatalities
• WPRI: No Traffic Related Deaths in RI Over Last 8 Weeks
• Providence Journal: Rhode Island Traffic Fatalities Over Time