PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island transportation officials have canceled plans to close a well-traveled highway exit as part of a major bridge project.
The Gano Street off-ramp for Interstate 195 West in Providence will remain open during the Washington Bridge rehabilitation project, the state Department of Transportation said Tuesday.
The department closed the ramp in 2018 as it prepared to rebuild and add a lane to the Washington Bridge, a project the state hoped would relieve rush-hour traffic congestion. At the time, officials said that 400 drivers an hour were taking the ramp at peak times, backing up traffic.
The exit was temporarily reopened after residents complained that the closure would send more traffic to the east side of Providence.
After three traffic studies, the department has concluded that keeping the off-ramp open will not affect traffic.
Pre-construction work on the bridge is slated to begin later this year.
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