Governor Dan McKee, along with U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, attended a ceremony to mark the completion of the I-95 Providence Viaduct Northbound Project. The event was held at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Providence, overlooking the new service road that is part of the project. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) managed the project.
The viaduct, which stretches nearly 1,300 feet, was previously deemed structurally deficient and required full replacement. It supports over 220,000 vehicles daily and is one of the busiest sections of I-95 in Rhode Island. A $60.3 million federal INFRA grant secured by Rhode Island’s congressional delegation funded the project.
In addition to replacing the viaduct, ten other bridges were repaired or replaced. A new service road was constructed alongside I-95, along with express lanes for northbound traffic to improve flow through this area. The service road opened fully in June 2024 and has since reduced congestion and improved travel times.
Governor McKee emphasized the project’s significance: “This investment strengthens one of the state’s most critical pieces of infrastructure.” Senator Reed highlighted that securing federal funding was crucial for addressing infrastructure deficiencies. Senator Whitehouse noted his role in developing the INFRA program to support significant infrastructure projects like this one.
RIDOT Director Peter Alviti expressed gratitude for federal support: “We are so grateful for the efforts of our congressional delegation.” The $265 million project was completed by Skanska/Manafort, who proposed a solution during procurement that saved a year in construction time.
The project also included replacing several bridges and ramps around I-95 North. It was made possible by RhodeWorks, an initiative aimed at improving Rhode Island’s infrastructure while respecting environmental concerns.
Learn more about RIDOT’s initiatives at www.ridot.net/RhodeWorks.
