Route 37 Will Finally Get Repaved

Route 37 is a busy three-mile stretch of highway that links Cranston, Warwick, Post Road, T.F. Green Airport and Interstates 95 and 295.

It’s also in pretty rough shape with numerous patch jobs, cracks and bumps. But not for long.

The state Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that it has awarded a contract to resurface the entire length of Route 37, all the way from Natick Avenue in Cranston to Post Road in Warwick.

The $5.9 million contract was awarded to D’Ambra Construction and work will take place next year with “substantial completion” in the summer of 2016.

“It’s no mystery that businesses looking to relocate to Rhode Island will judge us on the condition of our transportation infrastructure,” RIDOT Director Peter Alviti Jr. said. “Since joining this administration, I have made it a RIDOT priority to address long-standing issues like Route 37 and establish a bold, new direction that will build a stronger Rhode Island.”

The highway was last resurfaced in 1988 and carries about 35,000 cars per day.

It’s one of the few east-west highways in the state that connects the second- and third-largest cities as well as the two big interstate highways.

Rhode Island is ranked second-to-last in national rankings of road conditions.

Along with the new road surface, the project will make wheelchair ramp improvements at the off-ramps for Pontiac Avenue and Post Road.

There will be a five percent budget contingency of $295,000.

“While work on Route 37 will take place during the day and overnight, at least two travel lanes will remain open during peak travel times Monday-Saturday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.,” the DOT said in a release. “During all other times at least one lane will remain open, with some overnight closures and detours affecting the on- and off-ramps while paving is taking place. Daytime shoulder closures are possible this week as work gets underway.”