South Water Street is getting
a facelift. (Brian McDonald)
One of the boldest — and costliest — transportation projects in the state’s
history, the relocation of a generous stretch of Route 195 that runs through Providence,
remains on schedule.
And while some of the early construction work being done on the project is visible — such as reconstruction along South Water Street — most of what is going on, is going on behind the scenes.
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For more than a year, the state Department of Transportation has been buying the land it needs to lay down a new, two-and-one-half mile stretch of Route 195. That stretch will be located parallel to the Hurricane Barrier — a half-mile south of the existing highway. To date, eight city properties have been razed, and two more are scheduled to come down.
The project is expected to cost at least $320 million – and take nearly 11 years to complete. The bulk of the money to pay for the project is coming from federal transportation funds.
Once completed, the project is expected to open acres of prime development land and reunite neighborhoods with downtown Providence. It is also a matter of safety.
The highway in question, running from Route 95 to the pedestrian bridge on Route 195, is showing signs of the state’s lack of maintenance during cash-strapped times. In several locations concrete has fallen from bridges.
According to Department of Transportation, the relocation of Route 195 will create a more direct, straighter highway – one that will be safer for motorists and more effective in handling traffic.
The DOT has been studying ways to improve the stretch of highway since the early 1980s – now its crippling condition and the availability of federal funds have forced the issue.
Travel along the current stretch of the highway should go on without interruption during the 195-relocation project. One of the factors in moving the highway was that had the state attempted to simply repair the existing highway – there would be nowhere to put the thousands of cars and trucks that travel it each day.
In time, the public will see clearer evidence of the progress of the project.
“It’s a humongous project with a lot of things that had to be dealt with – and it is going well,” said Lambri Zerva, a principal civil engineer at the state Department of Transportation.
Zerva said for a project of such scope, much of what needs to be done is not the kind of work that catches the public’s attention. There have been buildings to acquire and utilities to move.
“We’re moving utilities out of the way – that is happening along Wickenden Street,” he said.
But by the end of 2002, said Zerva, a new bridge will span the Providence River and the picture of a relocated highway will crystallize.
A DOT status report on the project states that:
Construction is currently under way on the reconstruction of South Water Street, from Crawford Street to James Street. This project includes road reconstruction, river wall construction, boardwalk construction, and site improvements along the river. It is expected to be complete by the fall of 2001.
Construction is complete for the Water Quality Structures. This project consisted of water quality structures, which are part of the relocation project, at the I-195/Gano Street and I-95/Thurbers Avenue interchanges.
Currently testing all properties to be acquired for presence of contaminated materials. Several properties were determined to be “clean” while others require additional testing. The DOT is working with the state Department of Environmental Management on properties where contamination was identified. The majority of properties have been tested.
Currently working on acquiring all property and relocating all affected property owners and tenants by the end of 2001 in order to demolish properties and clear the area for the highway relocation. The DOT owns the majority (approximately 28) of the properties to date. A Brownsfield Agreement was made and signed with the DEM for contaminated properties. Work for the year 2001will include continued final design, right-of-way acquisition, hazardous materials testing, and soil borings. The DOT will also continue the building demolition process and utility relocations. DOT will advertise the Point Street Overpass project for bids, start the Narragansett Bay Commission sewer relocations, and continue to work with PG&E on oil tank relocation.
Reconstruction of Dyer Street is at the 90 percent plan stage. This project will realign Dyer Street to accommodate two-way traffic, include some interim traffic signals and highway on-ramps, eliminate the northbound service road and I-195 west bound off-ramp to the service road, as well as, the construction of river walls and landscape amenities. This project is currently on-hold until right of way issues with National Grid and RB Realty are resolved.
Work throughout 2002 will include some building demolitions, continued reconstruction of the Point Street Overpass, and significant utility relocations, as well as demolishing the oil tank, to accommodate future highway and bridge construction.
Work throughout 2003 will include beginning construction of the Providence River Bridge, the I-195 east side approach, the ramp from I-95 north bound to I-195 east bound, as well as, additional utility relocations.
Work throughout 2004 and beyond will include heavy design and construction at approximately $30 million to $35 million per year. DOT is planning on scheduling contracts in such a manner that it will open the east-bound direction and associated ramps in the year 2007, and the west-bound direction one year later.
