New I-95 North traffic pattern in Providence

Drive carefully; all lanes continue northbound

Motorists on I-95 North in Providence will find a new lane configuration just after Exit 19 (I-195 East). RIDOT has posted fixed and variable electronic signage to alert drivers to this change as they approach the construction zone.

Ongoing Iway construction immediately after Exit 20 requires building a new roadway in the same footprint of the current roadway. To do this, and allow traffic to continue using the highway, RIDOT has shifted lanes to the left and established a lane split with two lanes to the left and one lane to the right of the split. The space between will be under construction until October 22, when RIDOT anticipates removing the restriction in conjunction with the opening of the new Iway ramp from I-195 West to I-95 North.

All three lanes allow through traffic on I-95 North, but only the right lane provides access to Exit 21 (Broadway). Drivers who miss the Broadway exit because they were in the left lanes should get off the highway at the next exit, Exit 22A, Downtown to Memorial Boulevard, in order to get to their destination.

Motorists should not suddenly change lanes before the split, as this can lead to further congestion. Stopping or reversing on the Interstate is dangerous and is prohibited. Drivers should be in the appropriate lanes before they approach Exit 20.

Drivers are encouraged to take alternate routes and build more time into their travel plans. Motorists can take I-295, Route 10, as well as the local streets to avoid being in the construction area. Drivers with questions can contact RIDOT's Customer Service office on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 401-222-2450.

This work is independent of a lane shift on I-95 South, which RIDOT plans to implement on October 7. The combination of both work zones will mean increased drive times for motorists on their morning and afternoon commutes.

Keep in mind that online mapping programs and GPS systems will not reflect these changes.

Click here for press release detailing the changes

Work Zone Map

Click to download in PDF format


Essential Changes

Left Lanes	Right Lane
Allow through traffic on I-95 North	Allows through traffic on I-95 North
No access to Exit 21 (Broadway)	Only access to Exit 21 (Broadway)
Use Exit 22A to access Downtown and DownCity areas.	Merges with traffic from I-195 West

Alternate Routes for I-95 North

Route	Distance	Mileage difference vs. remaining on I-95 North
Exit 16 (Route 10) to I-95 North at Exit 22.	4.9 miles	+ 0.5 miles
Exit 18 (Thurbers Avenue) to Allens Avenue to Eddy Street to intersection of Memorial Boulevard and Steeple Street.	2.3 miles	+ 0.5 miles
I-295 North to Rte. 6 East to I-95 North at Exit 22.	14.3 miles	+ 4.5 miles
I-295 North, entire length, from Exit 11 in Warwick to Exit 4 in Attleboro, Mass.	27.8 miles	+ 6.4 miles