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November 7, 2007

DOT speeding up work on one entrance to relieve the jam

Governor Carcieri weighed on another day of heavy traffic faced by many commuters two days after the opening of the new Iway bridge.

At the least, he said, traffic should be the same as it was before. But last evening's commute, he told John DePetro this morning on WPRO-AM, "Right now it's worse than normal."

After more complaints about the traffic, the state may try to open the Wickenden Street entrance onto the new Iway bridge in four weeks.

The new entrance, which is through the hurricane barrier in India Point Park near the old Shooters night club, was not scheduled to open until the spring.

Work is also underway in India Point Park on the pedestrian overpass and the Wickenden Street exit.

Jerome T. Williams, executive director of the Department of Transportation, also said on the radio that the state is considering re-opening lane on 195 eastbound and whittling the Iway bridge down to one lane.

“It’s not the best option,” he said, but one of several that the department has.

Yesterday Frank Corrao III, deputy chief engineer at the department, said additional signage directing commuters to a new route, and longer white lines extending the lanes on the old section of Route 195 eastbound might also ease congestion.

Williams said this morning that the state will be painting the lane extensions tonight after the after this evening’s commute.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson  at 8:25 AM | Permalink

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B | November 7, 2007 8:36 AM link

Tom | November 7, 2007 9:13 AM link

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