Repaving Begins On I-295 In Rhode Island

CRANSTON, RI — Repaving Interstate 295 in Rhode Island began Wednesday, Gov. Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation said.

The project is the first in RIDOT's five-year plan to repave the state's worst roads. The I-295 corridor is one of the poster children for potholes and rough surface, McKee said. I-295 has not been paved since 2004.

"Our Administration has a plan, and historic federal funding, to finally tackle Rhode Island's worst roads and bridges," McKee said in a statement. "This is a plan that will help mitigate extreme weather events like we had earlier this week and create good-paying jobs in the process. Infrastructure has always been a crucial component of Rhode Island's economy, and we know it is essential to continuing our economic momentum."

RIDOT officials said they will pave the entire I-295 corridor from the Massachusetts state line in Cumberland to the I-95 interchange in Warwick, both northbound and southbound. This is more than 40 miles of interstate highway. The project also includes resurfacing two small sections of deteriorated pavement on I-95 in Pawtucket from Lonsdale Avenue to Walcott Street.

The $36 million project is one of many paving projects scheduled this year as part of RIDOT's $92 million investment in paving. Over the next five years, RIDOT will invest $492 million to resurface Rhode Island's state roads.

State officials said the project will be done in two phases, working from north to south. Phase one will resurface the highway from the Massachusetts state line to the Route 44 interchange (Exit 12). Phase two will repave from Route 44 to I-95. Paving of the on and off ramps will take place next spring.

Work is scheduled for completion in 2024. I-295 carries 50,000 vehicles daily. The section of I-95 in Pawtucket carries 110,000 vehicles a day.