6-10 Connector Interchange work advances on Nov. 9; RIDOT sees delays

WORK IS SET to advance on the 6-10 Connector Interchange project starting Nov. 9, resulting in multiple traffic pattern shifts that will last from months to years, with the entire project expected to be complete by the fall of 2023. In a photo taken in the summer of 2015, on one of the bridges of the interchange, just south of Westminster Street, temporary braces put in by the R.I. Department of Transportation 15 years ago were showing signs of deterioration. / PBN FILE PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO
WORK IS SET to advance on the 6-10 Connector Interchange project starting Nov. 9, resulting in multiple traffic pattern shifts that will last from months to years, with the entire project expected to be complete by the fall of 2023. In a photo taken in the summer of 2015, on one of the bridges of the interchange, just south of Westminster Street, temporary braces put in by the R.I. Department of Transportation 15 years ago were showing signs of deterioration. / PBN FILE PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO

PROVIDENCE – Work on the 6-10 Connector Interchange reconstruction will advance starting Friday Nov. 9, which will result in traffic pattern changes, the R.I. Department of Transportation announced Friday.

RIDOT noted that while the traffic changes will be temporary, some will be in effect longer than others, with certain shifts expected to last for several months.

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All of the planned changes are expected to increase travel times through the Olneyville area by a minimum of three to five minutes during peak travel times. Traffic on Routes 6 and 10 have an expected increased travel time of a minimum of two to six minutes during the morning and evening rush hours.

The entire project, which is expected to be completed by the fall of 2023, is designed to replace seven structurally deficient bridges.

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  • Starting on Nov. 9, the Broadway off-ramp accessible to traffic traveling on Route 6 East to the 6-10 Connector inbound will be closed for 24 months. RIDOT said that a detour using the Hartford Avenue exit will be utilized to take traffic through Olneyville Square.
  • Also on Nov. 9, RIDOT will begin utilizing a temporary section of Route 10 North during evening and overnight hours, shifting traffic to the right onto the temporary highway. This will also serve as a new, temporary exit to Westminster Street. No lanes will be closed. The shift will also last roughly two years.

  • Starting Nov. 10, RIDOT will introduce a minor lane shift to the right for traffic on the ramp from the 6-10 Connector outbound to Route 6 West. This will be in place for roughly one year.
  • Starting the week of Nov. 11, RIDOT will shift Route 6 East traffic to the left, following the Hartford Avenue exit, putting eastbound and westbound Route 6 traffic on he westbound portion of the highway for a bridge replacement over Hartford Avenue and Plainfield Street. The shoulders will be restricted in this area and lane will be narrowed. The change is expected to last roughly one year.

  • Also starting the week of Nov. 11, traffic patterns on Westminster Street and Broadway – where they pass over the 6-10 highway – will be altered for bridge work. One of the two lanes on Westminster Street eastbound will be closed while all other lanes may be narrowed. RIDOT also said that portions of the sidewalk and bike lane may also be blocked. The changed traffic pattern on Westminster is expected to last three months while traffic shifts on Broadway are expected to last nine months. RIDOT also said that more traffic changes are planned for both roads in 2019.

The entire 6-10 Connector Interchange project is projected to be completed in Fall 2023.

RIDOT urged commuters to seek alternate routes during the shifts, specifically promoting the use of bus and train travel.

Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor. Email him at Bergenheim@PBN.com.

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