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Next Iway change shifts Exit 20 on Route 95S

11:58 AM Mon, Nov 24, 2008 |
Mike McKinney    Email

PROVIDENCE -- The next major segment of the Route 195 relocation known as Iway will open to traffic on Saturday, Dec. 6, the state Department of Transportation announced today.

And it will mean a major shift in traffic habits for motorists heading south on Route 95 through the metropolitan area.

The new Exit 20 from Route 95 south to Route 195 east will now open on the highway's right side, where most highway exits are located.

The current left-side exit for old Route 195 east will close at the same time. So will access to old Route 195 exits 1 (Downtown) and 2 (Wickenden Street).

Other changes coming up include:

The DOT expects to open an on-ramp from Plain Street, near Rhode Island Hospital, to Route 195 east, on Wednesday, Dec. 3, that will replace the Friendship Street on-ramp to old Route 195 east, which the DOT closed in May.

The fifth lane of the Washington Bridge east is scheduled to open on Dec. 5.

All timetables are subject to weather.

Opening the new Exit 20, in particular, is expected to mean traffic congestion on Route 95 south during initial days of the new traffic pattern. More traffic buildup is possible on some city streets as well.

The DOT advises that drivers get familiar with the new exit's location and suggested detours for inbound and outbound traffic in light of the permanent closing of old Route 195 east and its exits 1 and 2.

"Changes of this magnitude can lead to confusion and therefore congestion as people become accustomed to new ways of getting through and into and out of Providence," Michael P. Lewis, the DOT director, said in the statement. "We encourage motorists to 'Take the RIGHT way to the Iway' for I-195 East and keep left for I-95 South. This is the most basic change with this new exit opening -- the shifting of the exit from the left side of the highway to the right."

As new traffic patterns go into effect, the DOT said it expects drivers will have improved commutes on Routes 95 and 195. The Iway's goal, the DOT said, is improving highway capacity, safety and cutting traffic buildup in Providence.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Read on for suggested detours for the region.

INBOUND ROUTES


· I-95 South to I-195 East: Use new Exit 20 on the right-hand side of the highway. After merging with traffic from the new Plain Street ramp, motorists will merge with traffic on the Iway from I-95 North just prior to the new Providence River Bridge. I-95 South through traffic should keep left.

· I-95 South to Downtown/Downcity/Courthouse District/Financial District: Take Exit 22A (Downtown) to the intersection with Francis Street. Turn right on Francis Street or proceed straight on Memorial Boulevard. Alternately, take Exit 21 (Atwells Avenue), turn left at light and proceed straight toward Downtown/Downcity.

· I-95 South to Jewelry District: Take Exit 21 (Atwells Avenue) and go straight through light onto southbound service road. Follow past the closed Broad Street on-ramp to Point Street. Turn left, travel over the Point Street overpass and arrive in the Jewelry District near the Coro Building. Alternately, take Exit 19 (Eddy Street). At the end of the ramp, turn right onto Eddy Street and follow it under the highway overpass, through the intersection with Allens Avenue and straight toward Davol Square and the Jewelry District.

· I-95 South to Wickenden Street/Fox Point/College Hill: Use new Exit 20 on the right-hand side of the highway and take Iway Exit 2 (Gano Street/India Street). At the end of the ramp, turn left toward Gano Street for College Hill, Hope Street and Fox Point. Turn right at the end of the ramp and follow India Street to South Water Street. Turn right onto Point Street to reach Wickenden Street, Benefit Street and South Main Street.


OUTBOUND ROUTES


· Downtown to I-95 North or South: Use Memorial Boulevard to reach I-95 or the Route 6/10 Connector near Providence Place mall.

· Downcity to I-195 West, I-95 North or South: Use the existing on-ramp to I-195 West from Dorrance Street.

· Downcity to I-195 East: Use the Delta Street bridge over Providence River from Memorial Boulevard to reach South Water Street. Follow signs on Wickenden Street. At the light, proceed straight onto South Main Street and use the on-ramp to I-195 East. Alternately, follow Eddy Street south, turn left on Point Street and turn right onto South Main Street and use the on-ramp to I-195 East.

· Courthouse/Financial District to I-195 West, I-95 North or South: Use the existing on-ramp to I-195 West from Dorrance Street. Alternately, use Memorial Boulevard to reach I-95 or the Route 6/10 Connector near Providence Place mall.

· West of the I-95 corridor to I-95 South: Drive west on Broadway or Westminster Street to reach Tobey Street and the Route 6/10 Connector. The ramp provides access to Route 6 West and Route 10 South only. Route 10 rejoins I-95 in Cranston.

· Rhode Island Hospital area to I-195 East: Use the new Plain Street on-ramp for I-195 East (located just south of intersection of Point Street and soutbound service road).

· In place of Broad Street on-ramp to I-95 South: Follow past the closed exit and turn left onto Point Street. After traveling over the Point Street overpass, turn right onto Richmond Street. Follow onto Eddy Street and bear left at the light for Allens Avenue. Turn right onto Blackstone Street, pass under the highway overpass and turn left onto the temporary ramp to I-95 South.

· Jewelry District to I-195 West, I-95 North or South: Use Richmond Street to Clifford Street for the ramp to I-195 West. Alternately, use Richmond Street, Eddy Street and Allens Avenue to reach the Blackstone Street on-ramp to I-95 South.

· Jewelry District to I-195 East: Use Point Street to South Main Street ramp to I-195 East.

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Comments

Eric said:

Good job DOT on keeping this project on a pretty good schedule. I look forward to the completion of the IWAY.




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