The Route 6/10 Interchange Reconstruction project is reconstructing the entire interchange within the existing highway right of way, while replacing or removing the seven structurally deficient bridges within the project area. The project highlights include:
| Completion of both Hartford Avenue and Plainfield Street bridges over Route 6 is anticipated in Fall 2021. |
| Construction along the south side of Broadway Bridge and Westminster Street Bridge will continued through 2021. |
| Construction continues on the new Tobey Street and Harris Avenue Bridges through 2021. |
| Construction ongoing on Huntington Viaduct. New Ramp Route 6 EB to Route 6/10 now opened and Ramps Route 6/10 to Route 6 WB is anticipated to be completed winter 2021. |
| The new flyover ramp for Route 10NB to Route 6 WB will be opened in the Fall of 2021. |
The Route 6/10 Reconstruction Design-Build Project is the largest Design-Build Project in Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) history. The 6/10 interchange is located just west of downtown Providence in an area of Providence known as Olneyville It serves as a critical east-west regional link for automobile and truck traffic between Interstates 295, 95 and 195. Nearly 100,000 trips are made through the interchange each day with two thirds of those trips originating or destined for points outside of Providence.
The Route 6/10 interchange fell into a state of disrepair with seven of its nine bridge structures rated structurally deficient. In addition to replacing the bridges and ramps of the interchange itself, this project will address existing bridges serving local streets that are integrated into the interchange due to their proximity and grades. All will be brought into a state of good repair. The project also includes construction of a "missing move" from Route 10 North to Route 6 West. The creation of this missing move will serve to reduce or eliminate through traffic from the streets of Olneyville, thereby improving pedestrian safety in the community.
The existing system of highways and ramps comprising the interchange was originally constructed in the 1950s as a bypass around Olneyville, which at the time was a distinct urban center. Due to steady growth in automobile traffic and increase reliance on heavy trucking for freight, many elements of the interchange failed to meet emerging highway safety and serviceability standards. The problem became worse as additional regional highway connections were made with Route 10 and Route 6 (former RI-195) in the 1960s and 1970s. Most all of the now functionally obsolete elements of the interchange (including insufficient merging lengths and curve radii, unusual and substandard on- and off-ramp configurations, and other deficiencies) persist to this day.
In recent years many of the structural elements of the interchange have fallen further into disrepair, requiring extensive shoring, bracing and other interim support measures in order to meet safety and load requirements for the facility to remain in service. Just prior to the start of construction, RIDOT had to spend $5-million in repairs to the temporary shoring and bracing erected several years ago as a bandage to the problem.
Commuter rail service is a great alternative for commuters from Warwick and South County who normally drive through the interchange. RIPTA bus service offers several options too for an easier commute.
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Over the next two weeks at this project, we will place the final surface course at the Route 10 North to Route 6 West flyover bridge, followed by striping and signage. Next week, utilizing daytime alternating lane closures on both directions of Route 10, we plan to pave the Tobey Street and Broadway bridges, including installing and shaping the new off-ramp to Broadway from I-95 North, install storm drainage at the future ramp from Route 10 South to Route 6 West, structural steel at the new Route 6 Viaduct, and work on the concrete parapets and approaches at the southern span of the Westminster Street Bridge. |
| Click here for the latest lane closure information |
