Major Iway segment opening this week

With a twist of two golden bolts, Rhode Island Gov. Donald Carcieri and Department of Transportation officials celebrated the near-completion of the last major phase of the Iway project Monday.

By the end of this week, the Iway will connect I-195 West to I-95 North through Providence, forever bypassing the former split - a notorious Rhode Island bottleneck.

“This is a monumental achievement for the State of Rhode Island,” said Carcieri. “The primary goal of this project was to improve the safety and operation of this highway. With the pending opening of this last leg of the Iway, Rhode Islanders will soon enjoy the benefits of meeting that goal.”

The opening of the last major phase will happen in segments throughout the week, RIDOT officials said.

(See a map of new traffic patterns)

Tuesday:

Crews will open the ramp from I-95 North to Point Street, giving drivers direct access to Point St., the Jewelry District, Davol Square, the hospitals complex and the west side of Providence.

Wednesday or Thursday:

Crews plan to open the last major segment of the Iway Thursday; connecting I-195 West with I-95 North. The changes will include an off-ramp to Point St. RIDOT could open the segment Wednesday if the weather cooperates.

Once the I-195 West to I-95 North movement is open, motorists traveling on Gano Street and taking the I-195 West on-ramp will have access to both I-95 North and I-95 South.

(See a map of alternate routes)

The Wickenden Street and Dyer Street on-ramps to I-195 West will be closed. Motorists who used to travel this area will need to take alternate routes to access I-95 North and I-95 South. The ramp from I-195 West to South Main Street will remain open.

RIDOT said additional on- and off-ramps will continue to open this year and next. The demolition of the old I-195 is set to begin sometime in 2010, with the whole project wrapping up in 2012.

The final price tag on the project is expected to be about $600 million.