More travel time message board on I-95 - Providence Eyewitness News

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Drivers will notice more travel time message boards along I-95 beginning on Friday.

Governor Lincoln Chafee and the RIDOT announced Thursday an expansion of travel time message boards along local highways in order to help drivers plan their routes during heavily traveled periods.

Beginning Friday, RIDOT will make travel times available along the full length of I-95 in Rhode Island, both Northbound and Southbound. RIDOT will also be offering times for new destinations including:

• Exit 22 (Downtown)
• Exit 9 (Route 4)
• Connecticut state line

RIDOT officials hoping the new message boards will divert traffic and ease congestion.

"This is another great tool for Rhode Islanders to use to make informed decisions as they drive," Governor Chafee said. "We are especially pleased to put existing technology to work to provide this valuable resource."

The travel times are calculated using RIDOT sensors that were previously put into place to measure traffic volumes. The equipment measures the speed of traffic in real time as vehicles travel from one sensor to another, and determines an approximate travel time for each segment of road along the route.

"Travel times are an important enhancement," RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis said. "They can be used along with our other services, such as traffic cameras and 511, to assist motorists in getting to their destinations with as little disruption as possible."

The following signs will display travel time information along I-95:

• I-95 Northbound
  • Overhead message board at the Connecticut state line – travel times to Exit 13 (T.F. Green Airport) and Exit 22 (Downtown)
  • Roadside message board near Exit 3 (Route 138) – travel time to Exit 13 and the Massachusetts state line
  • Roadside message board near Exit 5 (Route 102) – travel times to Exit 13 and Exit 22
  • Overhead message board at Milford Street in Cranston – travel times to Exit 22 and the Massachusetts state line
• I-95 Southbound
  • Overhead message board at East Street in Pawtucket – travel times to Exit 13 (T.F. Green Airport) and Exit 9 (Route 4 South)
  • Overhead message board at Smithfield Avenue in Pawtucket – travel times to Exit 13 and Exit 9
  • Roadside message board at Branch Avenue in Providence – travel time to Connecticut state line
  • Overhead message board at Laurens Street in Cranston – travel times to Exit 9 and the Connecticut state line
  • Overhead message board between Exit 10 and Exit 9 at Cowesett Road – travel time to Connecticut state line
  • Overhead message board at Exit 5 – travel time to Connecticut state line

Travel time information will be displayed from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Emergency messages because of a vehicle crash or an Amber Alert will take precedence.

Anyone with a question can contact RIDOT's Customer Service office at 401-222-2450 weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Click here for additional information.