Is it a good idea to permanently close the Gano Street exit off Interstate 195 into the East Side of Providence?

PBN Staff

09/06/2019

The Washington Bridge construction will involve adding an additional lane for through-traffic, removing the Gano Street exit from I-195 west and adding a new exit for East Providence, according the state Department of Transportation. / R.I. DOT

Nevermind that the R.I. Department of Transportation announced that it was seeking federal help to realign the on and off ramps for Interstate 195 on the Providence-East Providence border. It may in fact be a genius idea.

And nevermind that many residents and commercial establishments are not keen on the idea, worrying that certain portions of the East Side will have less traffic, starving business districts of customers.

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What would seem to be the biggest issue here is the fact that the state had extended conversations with all the stakeholders save one – the people and businesses who call that part of the East Side home.

This story is not done yet, but perhaps it would have gotten off to a slightly less bumpy start if those people and businesses most affected by the change had been brought into the conversation.