As part of an ongoing bridge replacement project, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will make a temporary traffic pattern change with a lane split for both northbound and southbound lanes for a section of I-95 at the Exit 4 (Route 3) interchange in Richmond. This goes into effect the week of April 19, with I-95 South changing on Sunday night, April 19 and I-95 North changing on Monday night, April 20. It will be in place for approximately two months.
This change will provide a safe work zone in the middle of the highway so RIDOT can continue its $9.4 million project for the structurally deficient Baker Pines Bridge, which carries I-95 over Route 3. The ramps and exits at the interchange will remain open. There will be one lane of traffic open on either side of the split. All lanes go through and motorists should not stop, slow down or change lanes suddenly at the split. Travel lanes will be narrow.
Trucks are advised to use the lane to the right of the split which is slightly wider than the lane on the left side of the split. Additionally, all oversized trucks will need to detour around the work zone. These vehicles traveling on I-95 South will need to use Exit 5A (Route 102 South) and follow it to Route 3 South to get back on the highway at the Exit 4 interchange. Oversized trucks on I-95 North will need to take Exit 4 (Route 3) and follow Route 3 North to Route 102 North and get back on the highway at the Exit 5 interchange.
Lane closures to put the new split into place are scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. each night, and all lanes would be reopened in the new split-lane configuration by the morning rush hour the following day. When the lane split is removed in two months, RIDOT will move into the final phase of construction with all lanes shifted to the left. At that time, the oversized truck restriction will be lifted. All lane shifts are expected to be removed by August 2020 and final completion of the entire project is expected in October 2020.
All construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings, and weather.
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