RIDOT Flip-Flops on South Water Street Construction

RIDOT Flip-Flops on South Water Street Construction

Rhode Island transportation officials are flip-flopping on the controversial South Water Street traffic plan.

GoLocal was first to report on August 2 that Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza’s Administration was rushing a plan to cut the crowded road from two lanes to one lane.

That project is in full construction mode presently and the impact has been to further exacerbate the afternoon commute -- especially for those trying to get on the on-ramp for 195 east.

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On July 23, RIDOT officials told GoLocal in an email that they were aware of the traffic plan by Elorza’s administration, and signed off on the plan.

“South Water Street is maintained by the city. We are aware of their project and have no issue with it, especially since the plans have the road returning to two lanes before the light at Wickenden Street to provide enough space for cars waiting at the light,” wrote Charles St. Martin, the spokesperson for RIDOT.

Now, RIDOT is asking Providence to stop the nearly finished project.

According to RIDOT, the project South Water Street project may be inconsistent with a 1999 agreement between the city and state.

In addition to the reduction of lanes on South Water Street, there is presently under construction a major new retail development complete with an anticipated TraderJoe's retailer. That new development is being constructed on the corner of South Water and Wickenden Streets. (NOTE Wickenden changes to Point Street at this juncture).

As a result, the existing logjam of traffic trying to exit the city to get to the I-195 on-ramp in Fox Point will now be funneled into a single lane headed directly into a new retail development featuring what is expected to be a highly popular retailer.

The project includes a 13,000-square-foot grocery store, 62 apartments, and an additional 10,000 square feet of retail space. The new project has two floors of parking.

Local residents and small business in the area have raised concerns about the impact of the change in the traffic pattern.

"This takes the cake [for stupid things the city has done],” Sharon Steele with the Jewelry District Association told GoLocal. “I only found out about [the plans] by reading GoLocal. None of us knew. Then my phone started ringing off the hook.”

Now, Steele said the adjacent businesses have formed together to hire their own traffic consultant to show the impact of what they believe the increased congestion will have on the commercial, residential, and pedestrian stretch of road.