RIDOT Repaving I-295, Cumberland to Warwick

PROVIDENCE— The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will resume milling and repaving I-295, from the Massachusetts border to Warwick, Sunday night, April 16.

This year RIDOT will finish paving the entire highway, including all exits and on-ramps, from Cumberland to the I-95 interchange in Warwick, the department reported.

This year’s work repaving I-295 begins at the Greenville Avenue (Route 5/Exit 10) interchange in Johnston and will proceed south. Last year RIDOT paved I-295 between the Massachusetts state line and Greenville Avenue. RIDOT will first mill and pave the mainline travel lanes of I-295. Resurfacing for all the on-ramps and exits will be done in late summer, according to the department.

Project work planned for night

Work repaving I-295 will take place during evening and overnight hours when traffic volumes are low, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Sunday-Thursday nights. There will be lane closures, brief ramp closures and minor delays during these hours. Some daytime work may be needed during off-peak hours. Drivers can expect uneven and milled surfaces for the duration of the project. Detailed information will be posted weekly at www.ridot.net/TravelAdvisories.

The $36 million project also includes resurfacing two small sections of deteriorated pavement on I-95 in Pawtucket from Lonsdale Avenue to Walcott Street, and a section of Route 6 West in Providence and Johnston, from the Glenbridge Avenue Bridge to I-295. Combined, RIDOT will repave approximately 40 miles of highway.

More durable paving mix

RIDOT reports the repaving I-295 work is among the first in a series of projects that will invest $492 million in paving over five years using the latest, most durable asphalt mixes – thanks to the new Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

The pavement mixes RIDOT uses today are far more durable and include additives that significantly extend the service life of the new pavement. In addition to providing a smoother riding surface, the more durable pavement also reduces the need for future paving projects, saves millions of dollars and reduces construction time which, helps decrease greenhouse gases.

The resurfacing project was funded by RhodeWorks and the Bipartisan Infrastructure and Improvement Act.