East Side Tunnel In Providence To Reopen After Renovations

PROVIDENCE, RI — The historic East Side Tunnel in Providence will reopen Thursday following months of construction and restoration.

Built in 1914 to support Providence’s former trolley system in climbing the steep 10 percent incline of streets in the College Hill neighborhood, the East Side Tunnel — the "critical piece of transit infrastructure" that connects downtown Providence with the East Side and beyond — required months of extensive renovation, officials said Wednesday.

Finally, the tunnel will reopen on Thursday, "revitalized and ready to serve the next generation of Rhode Island transit riders," according to officials.

The $25 million renovation project, which began in March, addressed included drainage upgrades, the installation of enhanced lighting, and structural repairs inside the tunnel, officials said.

"The East Side Tunnel is not just a vital transit corridor, but also a piece of our city’s history," Christopher Durand, RIPTA interim Chief Executive Officer said, in part. "RIPTA riders deserve comfortable, safe, and accessible amenities, and the restoration of the tunnel’s shelter is a major step toward providing them."

The tunnel remains a key part of the east-west transit corridor, offering bus-only access for six RIPTA routes, with over 250 trips passing through the nearly 2,000-foot-long structure daily.

The construction had $903,000 in federal grant money secured by U.S. Senator Jack Reed, and the U.S. Department of Transportation provided over $8 million toward the project.

The next phase of the tunnel project will involve the full design and construction of improved bus stops at Thayer Street, including modernized amenities and accessibility features.