What To Expect For More Weekend I-95 Lane Closures In Cranston

CRANSTON, RI — The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will bring back another set of weekend lane closures beginning Friday at I-95 near Route 10/Exit 33 at the Cranston-Providence line to replace the Wellington Avenue Bridge.

Two lanes on I-95 North will be closed this weekend, as well as the on-ramps from Route 10 northbound and Route 10 southbound to I-95 northbound

The project started up again two weeks ago and is expected to continue until Monday, RIDOT officials said.

Travelers should expect delays and use alternate routes such as Route 10 and I-295 for at least one more weekend, though the project completion is dependent on the weather.

Each weekend, lanes are closed on both sides of the highway as RIDOT demolishes and replaces different parts of the structurally deficient bridge. The closures start at 7 p.m. on Fridays, with all lanes open by 5 a.m. Monday morning. RIDOT said they will keep at least two lanes open on the side of the bridge being worked on each weekend.

The remaining schedule for the bridge replacement and traffic impacts is as follows:

• Sept. 15-18: The two right lanes on I-95 North and the left lane on I-95 South will be closed beginning at 7 p.m. Friday night, September 15. All lanes reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, September 18. There will be no lane split, northbound or southbound.

The bridge replacement operation also requires the closure of Wellington Avenue at the bridge, with a signed detour established for local traffic. The detour will be in effect until mid-September.

According to RIDOT officials, this rapid approach to bridge replacement saves motorists more than two years of lane closures, shifts, and splits.

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