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The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced the temporary closure of Route 7 (Douglas Turnpike) in Burrillville.

The closure to repair damages from the extensive rainfall that fell during a major storm on Monday, December 18.

The affected area is between Lorry Lane and Victory Highway, causing a detour to Route 102 (Broncos Highway), the Glendale Bypass, and Victory Highway.

The work to repair damage from the excessive rainfall is expected to begin on Wednesday, December 27, during daytime hours, at which time both Route 7 North and South will be closed in the area. The one-way detour for Route 7 North will remain in effect during non-working hours. The duration of repairs is yet to be determined.

An additional detour will be available via Route 102 (Broncos Highway), the Glendale Bypass, and Victory Highway.

For more information on road conditions and traffic advisories, visit RIDOT.net/RhodeWorks.

Press Release

Travel Advisory: Roadway Repairs Require Temporary Closure of Route 7 North and South in Burrillville

Effective today, Thursday, December 21, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) has closed Route 7 (Douglas Turnpike) North, between Lorry Lane and Victory Highway in Burrillville, to repair damage from excessive rainfall from the Monday, December 18 rainstorm.

Route 7 North traffic is currently detouring via Route 102 (Broncos Highway), the Glendale Bypass and Victory Highway. RIDOT is also utilizing a temporary traffic signal from an earlier bridge project at the intersection of Route 7 and Victory Highway to aid detouring motorists.

Starting Wednesday, December 27, crews will begin weekday work to rebuild the arch embankment and replace the undermined pavement and the washed-out guardrail. Once these repairs are underway during daytime hours, both Route 7 North and South will be closed at this location and motorists will need to follow the signed detour. During non-working hours, only the one-way detour for Route 7 North will be utilized.

This part of Route 7 carries 5,000 vehicles per day. The duration of repairs is yet to be determined.

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

The Route 7 repairs made possible by RhodeWorks and the Bipartisan Infrastructure and Improvement Act. RIDOT is committed to bringing Rhode Island’s infrastructure into a state of good repair while respecting the environment and striving to improve it. Learn more at www.ridot.net/RhodeWorks.


Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020). He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide. Ryan...

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