Route 37 In Cranston Will See Closure During Bridge Construction

CRANSTON, RI — The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) on Friday will begin sliding in a new bridge deck for Route 37eastbound over the Pawtuxet River, near the Pontiac Avenue exit in Cranston.

State officials said this means Route 37 eastbound between I-295 and I-95 will need to be closed until at least Nov. 6. Additionally, ramps connecting I-295, Route 2 and Pontiac Avenue with Route 37 eastbound will be closed this weekend. RIDOT advises motorists to plan ahead and use alternate routes to bypass the closed highway.

The closure does not affect Route 37 westbound, or travel in either direction of Pontiac Avenue underneath the Route 37 overpass, state officials said.

RIDOT will have signed detour routes for the weekend closure. Drivers on I-295 or points west should follow I-295 South and use Exit 27A (Route 117 East) to reverse direction onto I-95 North to reach Route 37. Motorists coming from points north should use I-95 South to Route 37, or other local roads.

RIDOT built the new bridge adjacent to the old one. In just one weekend, the department will demolish the old bridge and slide the new one into place, state officials said. A map of suggested alternate routes is available at www.ridot.net/DetourMaps.

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