Work will begin in 2022 on a $196 million project that will make much-needed improvements along the Route 146 corridor, replacing multiple bridges, repaving 8 miles of roadway and correcting numerous safety and congestion problems. More than 171,000 vehicles travel Route 146 between Providence and Worcester each day.
The project includes the removal of the traffic signal where Route 146 meets Sayles Hill Road and construction of a bridge so the highway can pass freely over Sayles Hill Road. This intersection averages more than 85 crashes per year and is a source of significant congestion and travel delay. It is the only signalized intersection on the entire Route 146 highway corridor in Rhode Island.
Thanks to the efforts of Rhode Island's Congressional delegation, RIDOT secured a $65 million USDOT INFRA Grant to help fund the project. Learn more: 2020 INFRA Grant Application Narrative: Route 146 Improvements
Route 146 a critical transportation route that has gone unimproved for far too long. Other highlights of the project include:
| Estimated Travel Times |
| Safety and Congestion Improvements Map |
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Ongoing overnight bridge work is prompting a few closures next week at this project. We need to close the Route 146 Service Roads, from Route 99 to Route 116, and their corresponding exits on I-295 for bridge work, Monday night (Route 146 Service Road South and Exit 18A off I-295 South) and Thursday night (Route 146 Service Road North and Exit 18B off I-295 North) from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. We also need to close portions of Route 146, from Route 99 to Route 116, Tuesday night (Route 146 South) and Wednesday night (Route 146 North) from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Please follow signed detours. Roadwork is requiring alternating lane closures on both directions of Route 146 near Sayles Hill Road, Monday-Thursday nights from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. and weekdays along both directions of Route 146, from Route 146A to the Massachusetts line, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
| Click here for the latest lane closure information |