Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

PROVIDENCE -- Bundled up in long coats against this morning's chill, state and local officials lined up along a red ribbon across the new Exit 20 on Route 95 south.

The occasional sounds of a backhoe and continuous zooming traffic reminded guests -- mostly reporters -- this was no picture-perfect moment, but rather an active construction zone.

With a quick, almost-perfectly synchronized sharp move, eight scissors cut into the red ribbon, unofficially "opening" the new ramp that will connect Route 95 southbound traffic to Route 195 east. The ramp is expected to open to traffic tomorrow morning, with the change starting tonight.

While the focus was on the new ramp and related shifts in traffic flow, Governor Carcieri was questioned on some controversial recommendations released yesterday by a panel he created that call for new tolls and tax hikes to pay for road and infrastructure work.

Carcieri said all proposals are on the table, though he later conceded one of the panel's most controversials ideas -- charging Rhode Island motorists a half-cent fee for every mile they drive annually -- would likely be dropped.

"Nobody is committed to anything right now, but we know we need to raise a lot of money," Carcieri said, adding, "but in the context of what is going on right now with the stimulus package (for states), we have to wait and see."

Carcieri was among the nation's governors who met Tuesday with President-elect Barack Obama to to press their case for at least $40 billion to help pay for health care for the poor and disabled and even more for infrastructure projects like road and bridge repair.

The Exit 20 change is part of the state's $610 million Route 195 relocation project, known as the Iway.

The new exit is about 1,000 feet south from the current one and will be accessible from the right lanes, ergo the state Department of Transportion's motto: "Take the RIGHT way to the Iway."

Its opening -- and simultaneous closing of the old Exit 20, and Route 195's Exit 1 (Providence downtown) and Exit 2 (Wickenden Street) accessible from the interstate's two left lanes -- marks the completion of the eastbound traffic relocation, said DOT Director Michael P. Lewis. The Route 195 westbound work is expected to be completed next year.

The relocation, Lewis said, will replace 18 bridges listed as deficient. It will also "create a one-in-a-lifetime economic development opportunity" for the city of Providence opening for development nearly 20 acres, Mayor David N. Cicilline said.

Signs have already been posted along I-95 South and on city streets to alert motorists of the changes and suggested detours.

Video: Sneak peek: The new way to get onto the Iway

Map: Take a look at the changes created by the new Exit 20.

 Tags  Governor Carcieri Iway Providence

Comments

Interstate said:

Can you please stop referring to the subject highways as Route 95 and Route 195? These highways are part of the Interstate System and should be referred to appropriately. Route 95 is a highway which goes through the Mojave Desert in California, Nevada and Arizona, whereas Interstate 95 happens to pass through Rhode Island.

Link | December 5, 2008 5:47 PM
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