Blackstone River Bikeway

The Blackstone River Bikeway is the state's third-longest bike path, stretching 11.6 miles from Woonsocket to Cumberland. The path is envisioned to connect Providence to the Massachusetts border through a series of on-road and off-road segments. Other path segments to the north and south of the current bikeway are in various phases of design.

The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council has led an effort to connect the Blackstone River Bikeway to Providence and the East Bay Bike Path. Through a series of on-road markers called "sharrows," experienced riders can easily find their way from one bikeway to another. RIDOT has an ongoing project in Pawtucket and Providence to formalize a portion of this route. RIDOT has prepared a Google map showing the on-road segments.

Click here to download larger version of map at right in PDF.

Construction History:

The bikeway has been built in many phases since 1998. These are listed below chronologically:

• 1998: Front Street to the Ashton Viaduct, Lincoln (3.3 miles)
• 2001: Ashton Viaduct, Cumberland, to New River Road, Lincoln (3 miles)
• 2002: Ashton Bikeway Bridge, Lincoln and Cumberland (500 feet)
• 2005: Former Lonsdale Drive-In, Lincoln, to Pratt Dam, Lincoln (1 mile)
• 2006: Blackstone River Bikeway Visitor's Center (off I-295 North) and spur to main path
• 2007: New River Road, Lincoln, to Woonsocket Water Treatment Plant, Woonsocket (2 miles)
• 2007: Berkeley-Martin Bridge reconstruction removes at-grade crossing of bikeway and busy street, Lincoln
• 2008: Through River's Edge Park to Davison Avenue, Woonsocket (0.9 miles)
• 2008: Former Lonsdale Drive-In, Lincoln, to Heritage Park, Cumberland (1 mile)
• 2009: Woonsocket Water Treatment Plant to River's Edge Park, Woonsocket (0.4 miles)
• 2011: Pitman Square, Providence to Pawtucket Landing, Pawtucket (4 miles). Under Construction
  

Path Features & Riding Experience

The path follows the Blackstone River wherever possible, including on the tow paths of the historic Blackstone Canal. Follow this link to learn more about the history of the bikeway. This highly scenic bikeway crisscrosses the river many times, offering views of natural resources such as wildlife and marshes and the impact of the Industrial Revolution with many mills and large dams that earned the river the title of the "hardest-working river in America."

Cycling the entire path takes approximately 1 hour. Heading from south to north beginning in Providence:

• Experienced on-road riders can follow bike lanes and bike routes marked with "sharrows" from the Providence water front at India Point Park along Blackstone Boulevard and many other local roads in the East Side of Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls and into Cumberland.
• Not far from Cumberland Town Hall and Valley Falls Park, the path goes off-road through the Lonsdale Marsh. Riders will pass over a 14-foot wide, 540-foot long elevated boardwalk that allows the bikeway to pass through the marsh in an environmentally responsible manner.
• After crossing Route 123 (John Street), the path enters the site of the former Lonsdale Drive-In. The drive-in was demolished and a portion of the land was returned to wetlands to aid in flood control and build habitat for many species that call the river home.
• Next up is a crossing of the large Pratt Dam, including a spillway that is a real testament to the power of the river with swift currents during high water periods or after a heavy rainstorm.
• The path then joins the first segment of bikeway built in 1998. Much of this path segment follows the Blackstone Canal on the left and the main waters of the Blackstone River on the right.
• As riders move north, they will approach the striking Berkeley-Martin Bridge, which was reconstructed in 2007 with a modern structure that included a nod to the past with decorative wood trusses. This project also removed an at-grade crossing of the bikeway and now riders pass under the busy Martin Street instead of trying to cross it.
• Upon reaching the historic Kelley House and the towering Ashton Viaduct Bridge, riders cross the river on a pedestrian steel-arch bridge to another path segment on the right bank of the river.
• A short dirt path off the bike path offers a view of the majestic Ashton Dam. The path crosses over the Providence & Worcester Railroad line before crossing a decorative iron bridge in the village of Albion.
• Again on the left side of the river, riders pass very close to the Albion Dam as they head toward another large dam, the Manville Dam.
• The next segment of bikeway is very close to the river here; in places perched on the former railroad cutting now supported with retaining walls. Some of the best views of birds and waterfowl are found here.
• Shortly after passing the Woonsocket Water Treatment Plant, riders enter the River's Edge Park, a large recreation area with ball fields. The path ends at Davison Avenue, at the northern edge of the park.

Directions to Parking Lots:

• Blackstone River State Park, Front Street, Lincoln: From Providence, take I-95 North to Exit 23 (Route 146 North). Follow to the Breakneck Hill Road (Route 123) exit. Continue eastbound, as road becomes Great Road and then Front Street. Turn left at the flashing yellow light and follow access road to two parking lots. Note, the lot closest to the path is predominately for handicapped persons.
• Former Lonsdale Drive-In Parking, John Street, Lincoln: Follow directions above to Front Street. The parking lot at the former drive-in is about 1/2 mile on the left after the sign for the Front Street parking lot.
• Route 116 parking area (George Washington Highway), Lincoln: From Providence, take Exit 23 for Route 146 North to Route 295 North to Exit 10 (Route 122, Mendon Road). Take left onto Mendon Road continue to its intersection with Route 116 George Washington Highway. Take right onto Route 116 East. The bike path parking area is located approximately 1 mile on your right.
• Weber Street, Cumberland: Follow directions above to the intersection of Mendon Road and Route 116. Proceed straight through the intersection and take the first right onto Store Hill Road. Turn right onto Front Street, which meets Weber Street at the parking area.
• School Street, Albion village, Lincoln: Follow directions above to Mendon Road from I-295. Turn right at the end of the ramp onto Route 122 North. Take the second left onto Albion Road. Pass over the river and look for the bikeway crossing. Parking is available in lots on both sides of School Street.
• Kelley House, Lower River Road, Lincoln: From Providence, take Exit 23 for Route 146 North to Route 116 East. Turn right onto Route 126 (Old River Road). Turn left onto Cullen Hill Road, turn left onto Lower River Road and follow to parking area.
• I-295 Visitor's Center parking, Lincoln: Take I-295 North to the center, located between Exit 9 (Route 146) and Exit 10 (Route 122, Mendon Road). Park in either lot. The bikeway spur starts behind the building.
• River Road, Manville, Lincoln: From Providence, take Exit 23 for Route 146 North to Route 99 North to the Sayles Hill Road exit. Turn right at the end of the ramp and follow through intersection with Route 126 (Old River Road). Turn left onto Main Street, then turn right onto New River Road. Bikeway parking lot is on the left.
• River's Edge Park at Davison Avenue, Woonsocket: From Providence, take Exit 23 for Route 146 North to Route 99 North to the Sayles Hill Road exit. Turn right at the end of the ramp and follow to the intersection with Route 126 (Old River Road) and turn left. Follow into Woonsocket, past the Woonsocket Water Treatment Plant, and turn right onto Davison Avenue. The parking area is on the right.

This path is managed by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Any maintenance questions should be directed to 401-222-2632.