The Route 146 project, designed to eliminate one of the most active crash sites in Rhode Island, has made great strides since work first started in 2022. In April of this year, RIDOT completed the construction of one lane southbound on the new flyover bridge at the Sayles Hill Road intersection providing one lane in each direction on the flyover. For now, the other southbound travel lane remains at ground level but eventually two lanes in each direction will be able to bypass the traffic signal.
The traffic signal at Sayles Hill Road has been adjusted to ensure that the intersection functions at maximum efficiency.
The Route 146 Improvement Project will replace multiple bridges, repave 8 miles of road and eliminate congestion at the intersection of Sayles Hill Road and Route 146. Approximately 171,000 vehicles use Route 146 daily.
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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Next week, we are scheduled to continue to mill and pave various roadways within the project area, Sunday-Thursday nights from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. These improvements will involve the closures of Exit 10 off Route 146 North and South, Route 146A South at Dowling Village Boulevard, the on-ramp from Route 146A South to Route 146 North, the Route 146 North and South Service Roads, between Route 99 and Route 146A, the west side of Sayles Hill Road, from Route 146 to Iron Mine Hill Road, and alternating lanes on the east side of Sayles Hill Road, from Route 99 to Route 146. Westbound traffic from Route 99 also will be detoured, no traffic will be allowed under the Sayles Hill Road Flyover Bridge, and left turns from Route 146 North at Sayles Hill Road will not be permitted. Drainage installation also will require alternating lane closures on Route 99 South, from Exit 1 to Route 146 South, and a detour of Route 99 South at Exit 1 (Sayles Hill Road), Sunday-Thursday nights from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Please follow signed detours during all closures. |
| Click here for the latest lane closure information |