PROVIDENCE – The welcome center located on the northbound side of Interstate 95 between exits 2 and 3 closed on Thursday.
The center was closed due to a lack of funding and “changes in tourism trends,” the R.I. Department of Transportation and the R.I. Economic Development Corporation said.
The transportation department said it can no longer pay for the center, which accounted for $400,000 of its annual budget. The three full-time and three part-time employees have been let go.
People now use the Internet and GPS devices to navigate, rather than stopping at welcome centers to get directions and maps, the departments said, noting that most people use the center for the bathroom or to rest, which can be done at other locations such as at the gas stations or convenience stores at Exit 3 or at a truck stop at Exit 5B.
The facility was open 7 days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the parking lot was accessible at all hours.
“R.I. DOT maintenance personnel will close off access with Jersey barrier after the area permanently closes,” said Director Michael P. Lewis.
If it is true that people no longer use welcome centers for travel information, why do I always see so many people getting tourism information at welcome centers in Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire?
While I understand and appreciated the state’s move to save money, wouldn’t it be better if it were turned over to a private business to run instead of shutting it down? There’s a real opportunity there for a foodservice and refuelin operation.
Way to go, Rhode Island. Instead of welcoming people to the state, lets leave it for them to fend for themselves. Another poor management decision that could have been turned into a viable business as stated by Brenda if the area was privatized. So many states have convenience areas and between Rhode Island and Massachusetts -not a one. Our state is so backward thinking it is embarrassing.
Lets not forget that we built the WELCOME Center in a location leaving the state. Another well planned mistakes.
Amazing incompetence rears its ugly head again ! So capital infrastructure will be left to rot and likely vandlaized or at a minimum inhabited by local 4 footed residents. I concur with the responders above – I travel to NH, VT, NY, PA, etc and stop at the centers just about every time for area attraction tips and coupons, a “pit stop” maps, and just a safety stretch break not to mention the number of folks who travel with their dogs and need a rest stop for them. Long haul truck drivers depend on these stops for their rest/sleep stops to stay in compliance with USDOT driver safety regulations for duty hours and sleep. Privitize it – give this state at least a fighting chance to come off as welcoming and a class act. Jenn from South County