Iway ramp changes scheduled for Summer 2009

Iway construction near Downtown Providence

Motorists traveling I-95 and I-195 through Providence will have a few more months to become familiar with the December 2008 opening of the new, right exit for I-95 South to I-195 East,. Construction work, as seen in photo at right, continues. The next ramp changes are scheduled for Summer 2009, when a new ramp from I-195 West to I-95 South will open, along with a new ramp from I-195 West to Eddy St. and the hospital campus in Providence.
Map of Summer 2009 Iway ramp openings.

Take the right way to the Iway

Traffic on I-95 South headed to Exit 20 to I-195 East should stay to the right to access the new ramp connecting the two highways through the new Iway bridge. Through traffic on I-95 South should stay to the left to continue south on I-95

I-195 East ramps which permanently closed with the opening of the new Exit 20

• Exits closed
  Old I-195 EB Exit 1 (Downtown- Eddy/Dyer)
  Old I-195 EB Exit 2 (Wickenden St.)
• On-ramps closed
  Hoppin St. on-ramp
  Eddy/Dyer St. on-ramp
  So. Water St. on-ramp

Missed new Exit 20? Do not stop, back up or weave suddenly across lanes. Simply follow I-95 South to Exit 18 (Thurbers Avenue). Take a left at the end of the ramp. After passing underneath the highway, take an immediate left onto I-95 North, then use Exit 19 to I-195 East. The total detour is approximately 2 miles long. Click here to open a Google Maps route.

The opening of the I-95 South Exit 20 ramp was accompanied by the opening of a new Plain St. ramp to I-195 East. Convenient to motorists in the hospital area or the Jewelry District headed to I-195 East, the Plain St. ramp is the permanent replacement for the old Friendship St. ramp.

• Click here for a map of suggested alternate outbound routes headed east.
• Click here for a map of outbound routes headed east from the hospital area.

With the new Exit 20, traffic on I-95 South can no longer access Exits 1 (Downtown) and 2 (Wickenden Street) from the old I-195. To reach:

• Downcity -  use Exit 22 (Downtown) or Exit 21 (Atwells Ave.).
• The Courthouse District - use Exit 22 (Downtown) to Memorial Blvd.
• The Jewelry District - use Exit 21 (Atwells Ave.) and follow the southbound Service Rd. to Point St. or use Exit 19 to Eddy St.
• College Hill/Fox Point/Lower East Side areas - take new Exit 20 to the Iway and use Exit 2 (India St.)
• Click here for a map of suggested alternate inbound routes once the old I-195 EB ramp closes
• If you miss the new Exit 20 - use Exit 18 (Thurbers Ave.) to reverse direction and access the Iway at Exit 19 from I-95 North.

In early November RIDOT permanently closed the Broad Street on-ramp to I-95 South (ramp alongside Crossroads Rhode Island, the former Providence YMCA). Alternate routes depend on where you're coming from:

• Downcity? Use the Dorrance Street on-ramp to old I-195 West and I-95 South, or Memorial Boulevard to either I-95 South or the Route 6/10 Connector.
• Are you west of I-95? Follow a signed detour using Point St., Richmond St., Eddy St. and Allens Ave. to a new temporary Blackstone St. on-ramp to I-95 SB, opened in late October.
• Are you closer to Route 6/10? Follow Westminster Sr. or Broadway to the Route 6/10 Connector at Tobey St., and connect with I-95 South in Cranston.
• Click here for a map of suggested alternate outbound routes to I-95 South once the Broad St. on-ramp closes

Interactive Routes using Google Earth - Notes on Google Earth: Google Earth is a free program separate from your internet browser. To download a copy of Google Earth, click here. Directions for using flyover detour maps, once Google Earth is installed.

• Click on link for desired detour route.
  Google Earth will load in its own window with detour displayed.
  If detour route is not shown, make sure there is a check mark in the box next to the detour name.
  
• For basic flyover (which pauses at directional changes):
  Select "Play Tour" from Tools menu

Google Earth Tours for new routes to Providence locations with the opening of the new Exit 20 and the opening of the Plain St. on-ramp to I-195 East. Please see "Notes on Google Earth" above.

• I-95 South to College Hill-Fox Point.kmz
• I-95 South to Courthouse District.kmz
• I-95 South to Downcity-Downtown via Exit 21.kmz
• I-95 South to Downcity-Downtown via Exit 22.kmz
• I-95 South to Jewelry District via Exit 19.kmz
• I-95 South to Jewelry District via Exit 21.kmz
• I-95 South to Wickenden St..kmz

Exiting Providence locations:

• Leaving Downcity via old I-195 West (Old 195 West remains open to traffic)
• Leaving Downcity via Eddy St.
• Broadway to 6-10 Connector
• Westminster Street to 6-10 Connector
• West End to I-95 South using the new temporary Blackstone St ramp
• Leaving Downcity via Memorial Blvd

Google Earth routes from I-95 North

• I-95 North to Downcity-Downtown.kmz
• I-95 North to Wickenden St.kmz
• I-95 North to College Hill-Fox Point.kmz
• I-95 North to Courthouse District.kmz