NORTH SMITHFIELD – For one night, starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation will close lanes at the Route 146 intersection with Sayles Hill Road in North Smithfield.
The closure will allow the department to begin lifting steel beams as part of a new flyover bridge being built at the intersection, according to a release from RIDOT. All lanes will reopen on Sunday morning, Jan. 14.
RIDOT noted that at least one lane of travel in each direction of Route 146 will always be maintained. Sayles Hill Road at Route 146 will be closed with signed detours in place.
The closure schedule and recommended detours for Sayles Hill Road are as follows:
Saturday, Jan. 13 at 6 p.m.: One lane closed on Route 146 South. Sayles Hill Road closed where it crosses Route 146. Drivers coming from Manville will use Route 99 to bypass the closure, reversing direction, if necessary, on Route 146 using the I-295 interchange. Drivers coming from Iron Mine Hill Road will take a left at the Sayles Hill Road/Iron Mine Hill Road intersection before the closed area to rejoin the highway further north of the intersection.
Saturday, Jan. 13 at 8 p.m.: One lane closed on Route 146 North.
Sunday, Jan. 14 at 8 a.m.: All lanes open on Route 146 North.
Sunday, Jan. 14 at 10 a.m.: All lanes open on Route 146 South and Sayles Hill Road reopens at Route 146.
RIDOT noted that the new flyover bridge is one of the key features of the project, which will make the interchange safer and eliminate the need for the current traffic signal, the only traffic light on all of Route 146. This intersection averages more than 85 crashes per year and is a source of significant congestion and travel delay.
All construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings and weather.
