Old I-195 bridge to be demolished

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - It will be an end of an era in Providence this weekend. Weather permitting, crews will begin tearing down the old I-195 bridge over Wickenden St., Rhode Island Department of Transportation officials confirmed Wednesday.

According to RIDOT, the work will begin 8 p.m. Sunday, and will continue overnight throughout next week, with construction wrapping up each day at 5 a.m.

Wickenden St. will remain open during that time, but will be reduced to one lane in each direction while demolition is taking place.

Additional cleanup work may be necessary the following week, but RIDOT said it will not require any lane closures.

“We apologize for any noise or disruption this work may cause over the next several days,” RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis said. “We must demolish the old highway in order to continue making improvements on the Iway project and in the Wickenden Street area.”

In the coming months, RIDOT plans to begin the relocation of Exit 2 from I-195 West (the South Main St. exit), as well as improvements to Wickenden St.

Motorists who have questions about this project are urged to contact RIDOT’s Customer Service office weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 401-222-2450.