Curious about recent work on the Apponaug Circulator Project, but not curious enough to drive all around it? Check out our video tour from Friday.
WARWICK, RI — Single lane closures at Apponaug Village roundabouts, required to allow stamped concrete crosswalks to cure, have not been popular with many motorists, and Mayor Scott Avedisian is asking for patience as the restrictions are expected to last until May 31.The other half of the crosswalks will need to be blocked off to cure on May 24, which will last another seven days, the Mayor reported.Avedisian noted the Greenwich Avenue/Veterans Memorial Drive roundabout is the busiest in the village, and the Mayor said people who normally rely on that intersection to travel between I-95, Rte. 2 and areas of Greenwood, West Shore Road, Long Street, Buttonwoods, and further east toward Sandy Lane and Oakland Beach should consider using Route 113 (Main Avenue) until the curing is finished.
RIDOT announced the lane closures in their weekly update, posted by WarwickPost.com May 16, marked #6 and #7 on the map.
The Mayor’s full letter to residents, posted to his Facebook page, has been copied below:
Good Afternoon:
Yesterday my office received an influx of calls regarding the single-lane closures around the Apponaug village. I understand how frustrating it can be to sit in traffic for extended periods of time, especially during hot weather. While I realize it is an inconvenience to motorists, I ask for your patience and understanding as RIDOT works to complete the crosswalks throughout the village. Unfortunately, lane closures are necessary to ensure the long-term durability of the new crosswalks.
At each roundabout, RIDOT is using a stamped concrete design for the crosswalks to clearly signal to both pedestrians and drivers where to cross the new intersections. As part of this process, one travel lane in the two-lane roundabouts is being closed for approximately one week to allow the new concrete to properly set and cure. After the curing time, RIDOT will close the opposite lane and repeat the process.
The work will be ongoing, beginning with a left lane closure at the roundabout where Greenwich Avenue, Veterans Memorial Drive and the new Veterans Memorial Drive Extension meet. Also, the left lane on Veterans Memorial Drive westbound approaching the roundabout is closed. On Wednesday, May 24, the traffic pattern will shift with the right lane closed to allow for the construction and curing time for the other half of the crosswalk.
The Greenwich Avenue roundabout is the busiest roundabout in the village, and RIDOT has observed significant travel delays, especially affecting westbound traffic during morning and evening rush hours. Motorists traveling across Warwick between I-95 and the Route 2 corridor and areas such as Greenwood, West Shore Road, Long Street, Buttonwoods, and further east toward Sandy Lane and Oakland Beach may wish to use Route 113 (Main Avenue) as an alternate route during this phase of construction.
RIDOT anticipates these lane restrictions will be in place until May 31.
Visit www.dot.ri.gov or follow RIDOTnews on Facebook or Twitter for timely information on construction projects and traffic conditions. You can receive direct updates on this project by signing up for our Project Updates by contacting us at [email protected] and use the word “Project Updates” in the subject.
Author: Rob Borkowski
Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
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