The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will begin testing a new traffic pattern on I-195 West starting this weekend in an effort to reduce congestion near the Washington Bridge.
The new pattern will reduce the number of lanes on the interstate from three to two lanes, starting east of the East Shore Expressway entrance. RIDOT says the change will expedite travel for those looking to enter I-195 West from the East Shore Expressway, Pawtucket Avenue, and Broadway.
The department has modeled the traffic pattern and says it will allow those using the East Shore Expressway, Pawtucket Avenue, and Broadway ramps to merge more easily. The new pattern will be tested on Friday night, and RIDOT will monitor its impact closely throughout the weekend and the beginning of next week.
At the end of the test period, RIDOT engineers will make a final decision on whether to keep the pattern in place or reverse it. The department says it will use barrels to mark the new pattern on Friday night, so that any necessary changes or reversal can be made quickly.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.