Posted on by

Rte. 37 Traffic Pattern Changes Coming Friday

[CREDIT: RIDOT] Rte. I-295 Looking South at Rte. 37 Overpass Bridges. RIDOT is demolishing the bridges over I-295, Cranston Street & the Washington Secondary Bike Path for the Cranston Canyon Project, so the Rte. 37 traffic pattern is changing.

[CREDIT: RIDOT] Rte. I-295 Looking South at Rte. 37 Overpass Bridges. RIDOT is demolishing the bridges over I-295, Cranston Street & the Washington Secondary Bike Path for the Cranston Canyon Project, so the Rte. 37 traffic pattern is changing.
[CREDIT: RIDOT] Rte. I-295 Looking South at Rte. 37 Overpass Bridges.
RIDOT is demolishing the bridges over I-295, Cranston Street & the Washington Secondary Bike Path for the Cranston Canyon Project, so the Rte. 37 traffic pattern is changing.
WARWICK, RI — RIDOT aims to demolish the Rte. 37 bridges over I-295 North and South, Cranston Street and the Washington Secondary Bike Path for the $85 million Cranston Canyon Project, so  Rte. 37 traffic pattern changes are coming Friday.

Starting Friday night, April 14, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will make the following Rte. 37 traffic pattern changes:

Rte. 37 traffic pattern change: Travel lanes reduced

RIDOT will reduce the number of travel lanes in each direction and shift both directions of travel to the westbound side of Route 37, freeing up the eastbound side of these bridges for demolition and reconstruction. This traffic pattern will be in place for approximately one year, followed by another one-year phase to complete the replacement of the eastbound portions of these bridges.

Motorists should reduce their speed and provide additional time for travel through the work zone. The sequence of traffic changes are as follows:

  • Friday night, April 14: Reduce travel lanes from two to one on Route 37 West and from three to two on Route 37 East.
  • Early May: Shift the two lanes of Route 37 to the westbound side.

[CREDIT: RIDOT] Route I-295 Looking North, through the portion known as the Cranston Canyon. RIDOT is demolishing bridges over I-295, Cranston Street & the Washington Secondary Bike Path for the Cranston Canyon Project, so the Rte. 37 traffic pattern is changing.
[CREDIT: RIDOT] Route I-295 Looking North, through the portion known as the Cranston Canyon. RIDOT is demolishing bridges over I-295, Cranston Street & the Washington Secondary Bike Path for the Cranston Canyon Project, so the Rte. 37 traffic pattern is changing.
The entire project will address deteriorated bridges along the western end of Rte. 37 and its intersection with I-295 and make many safety improvements along the “canyon” section of I-295 – the nickname given for the rocky outcropping on this section of the Interstate. The improvements also will reduce chronic congestion issues on both highways, which will reduce vehicle emissions. Approximately 84,000 vehicles travel daily on I-295 North between Rte. 37 and Rte. 14, and 36,500 vehicles on Rte. 37, west of Pontiac Avenue.

All construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings and weather.

The Cranston Canyon Project is made possible by RhodeWorks and the Bipartisan Infrastructure and Improvement Act. RIDOT is committed to bringing Rhode Island’s infrastructure into a state of good repair while respecting the environment and striving to improve it. Learn more at www.ridot.net/RhodeWorks.

 

Rob Borkowski
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 editor@warwickpost.com with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.

This is a test