The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced that I‑95 will be partially closed overnight at the Route 10 interchange (Exit 33) in Providence and Cranston beginning Friday night, October 16. The closures are part of the ongoing I‑95 15 Bridges reconstruction project, which aims to demolish and replace aging bridge walls along the corridor.

Schedule and Lane Closures

Each weekend the work will follow a similar pattern:

• Starting at 10 p.m., up to two lanes will be shut down for preparatory work.
• Full highway closures begin at midnight and continue until the early morning.
• All lanes are expected to reopen by 7 a.m. the next day, with southbound lanes sometimes reopening earlier (as early as 5 a.m.).

The specific dates are:

• Oct. 16‑17: Both directions close at midnight; southbound lanes reopen by 5 a.m., northbound by 7 a.m.
• Oct. 23‑24: I‑95 South closes at midnight; all southbound lanes reopen by 7 a.m. Only the two left lanes on I‑95 North close.
• Oct. 30‑31: Up to two lanes of I‑95 South close at 10 p.m., expanding to three lanes at midnight. No northbound closures are scheduled.

Detour Routes

RIDOT provided detailed detour instructions to keep traffic moving:

Southbound drivers will exit at 33B onto Route 10 North, then take Exit 2A to Reservoir Avenue, turn right at the ramp’s end, and left onto Route 10 South to rejoin I‑95 South.

Northbound drivers will use Exit 33A to Route 10 North toward Providence, then follow signs back to I‑95 North. An alternate detour uses Exit 33B to Elmwood Avenue, followed by a left turn and a right onto the Route 10 North entrance ramp.

Ramp Closures

In addition to the mainline lane closures, the following ramps will be shut each Friday and Saturday night from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.:

• Route 10 South to I‑95 North
• Route 10 North to I‑95 South
• I‑95 South to Route 10 South

Drivers traveling from Route 10 South to I‑95 North will be redirected onto I‑95 South to Exit 31C at Jefferson Boulevard, then left, left again onto I‑95 North.

Impact and Advice

RIDOT estimates detour delays of 15 to 20 minutes, with the longest travel times expected in the morning before lanes reopen. Motorists are encouraged to consider alternate routes such as I‑295 or other sections of Route 10, and to check RIDOT’s travel‑advisories page for the latest maps and updates.

The agency noted that schedules could shift due to weather or construction conditions, and it will keep the public informed through its online portal.

Why the Work Matters

The I‑95 15 Bridges project addresses nine structurally deficient bridges between Providence and Warwick. By demolishing and rebuilding bridge walls now, RIDOT aims to improve safety and reduce long‑term maintenance costs, supporting the region’s vital transportation network.

Residents and commuters are asked to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and follow posted signage to ensure a smooth flow of traffic during the three‑weekend construction window.

Original reporting: NBC 10 WJAR (Sinclair) – local — read the source article.