The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) recently broke ground on the $85 million Cranston Canyon Project.
The project will rebuilding six bridges along the western end of Route 37 and its intersection with I-295. Additional work includes constructing a new bridge along the Route 37 corridor west of Pontiac Avenue in Cranston, repositioning the ramp from I-295 North to Route 37 West, widening the ramp from Route 37 West to I-295 North, shifting the ramp from Route 37 East to I-295 North from the high-speed lane to the right lane, and creating a third lane at I-295 North.
Daily approximately 84,000 vehicles travel on I-295 North between Route 37 and Route 14 and 36,500 vehicles travel on Route 37, west of Pontiac Avenue. The project is expected to reduce congestion issues on both highways.
Work is expected to be completed in 2026.
RIDOT Director Peter Alviti, U.S. Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) state and local leaders attended the groundbreaking ceremony.
The project is part of RIDOT’s efforts to address the bridges along the Route 37 corridor. The $79.5 million Route 37 Bridges Project began in 2020 to addressing the 15 bridges from Post Road to Pontiac Avenue. Work will be completed in 2023.