Route 6-10 'Flyover' Ramp Opens In Providence

PROVIDENCE, RI — Providence traffic looks a little different now, thanks to a new project unveiled Friday afternoon. State leaders gathered to cut the ribbon on the Route 10 North to Route 6 West "flyover" ramp.

The project was completed two years ahead of schedule, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation said.

The highway ramp was never included when the Route 6-10 interchange was built in the 1950s, RIDOT said, meaning that drivers have had to cut through Olneyville to make the connection for more than seven decades.

"This new highway connection serves not just the Olneyville community, but anyone who travels Rhode Island roads," Gov. Dan McKee said. "All Rhode Islanders can benefit from reduced traffic, safer roads, and an easier commute."

RIDOT Director Peter Aviti said the flyover "literally was decades in the making, as was the entire Route 6-10 project itself."

"While the 6-10 project has two more years of construction, we were able to schedule our work to be able to deliver this ramp for the public well ahead of schedule," Alviti continued.

The single-lane ramp carries traffic more than 50 feet over Route 10 and is about 940 feet long. It also has a wide shoulder on both sides, RIDOT said, to allow disabled vehicles to stop without completely blocking traffic. The department estimated it will carry more than 15,000 vehicles per day.

Construction is far from finished in the area. The Route 6-10 project is expected to continue until next fall.

"The new flyover ramp is an elegant addition to the 6-10 Interchange that will make the capital city easier to navigate and ease gridlock in Olneyville Square," said U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. "I’m pleased to report that the infrastructure bill we passed into law this week will provide significantly more money to RIDOT for job-creating highway and bridge projects like the overhaul of the 6-10."