Traffic Pattern Changes Coming To Route 37 For 'Cranston Canyon' Bridge Project

CRANSTON, RI — Traffic pattern changes will be put into place on Route 37 for work on the "Cranston Canyon" bridge project, according to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT).

RIDOT officials said the traffic pattern changes will begin on Friday. The changes will allow RIDOT crews to begin demolition and replacement of the Route 37 bridges over Interstate 295 and over Cranston Street and the Washington Secondary Bike Path.

RIDOT officials said they 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 the bridges for demolition and reconstruction. This traffic pattern will be in place for about one year, followed by another one-year phase to complete the replacement of the eastbound portions of these bridges, state officials said.

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

• Friday — 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.

The entire project will address deteriorated bridges along the western end of Route 37 and its intersection with Interstate 295 and make many safety improvements along the "canyon" section of the highway — 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, RIDOT officials said.

According to state officials, about 84,000 vehicles travel daily on Interstate 295 northbound between Route 37 and Route 14, and 36,500 vehicles on Route 37, west of Pontiac Avenue.

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