Project Purpose & Need

The Environmental Impact Statement for the U.S. Route 6 / Route 10 Interchange Project inProvidence, Rhode Island will help to identify a transportation improvement alternative that will:

• Address the deterioration of the existing bridges

• Reduce congestion within the interchange

• Reduce interchange-related traffic congestion in the adjacent communities

• Improve north-to-west travel movement

Nine of the eleven bridges are approximately 50 years old and in deteriorated states, nearing the end of their useful lives.

Inadequate lane capacity along with significant geometric deficiencies, such as substandard weaves and ramp connections, result in increased congestion and driver delays, reduced air quality, and reduced safety.

There is substantial congestion in the surrounding communities due to the high number of motorists exiting the interchange from northbound Route 10 and traveling in the West End and Olnyville in order to access westbound Route 6.

Currently the motorist has no option to proceed westbound on Route 6 from northbound Route 10 other than through local streets, leading to reduced efficiency of the interchange.

The project team is currently studying alternatives that would address the purpose and need of the project.

In the spring of 1999, an interim resurfacing project was designed for the interchange. The resurfacing contract documents were completed in the fall of 1999 and the project was completed during the 2000 construction season.

Bridge inspections were conducted again in the spring of 2003 and as a result, another bridge rehabilitation contract for temporary shoring and repairs was advertised in the fallof 2003 and completed in 2004.

An Environmental Impact Statement has been and the Record of Decision was signed in June 2006.