Downtown Providence
End of I-195 at I-95 (caption is wrong). The offramp to Pine St no longer exists.
Temporary end of I-95. Also note the temporary end of RI 146 on the far left.
Original 1947 plan for downtown freeways. Note the ghost ramps to the west, south of where US 6/RI 10 currently ties in.
A later plan for downtown, drawn after I-195 had been built but before I-95. Note the eastern extension of US 6/RI 10 (and the fact that west of I-95 it would have headed to the northwest, possibly as a US 44 bypass). The eastern extension ends before it gets to the edge of the map; I am unsure whether it would have ended in a parking garage or if it's just bad cartography.
Evolution of plans for the "Downtown interchange", which now carries I-95 north-south and US 6/RI 10 to the west.
A USGS map of the downtown circle. US 1 ran thru north-south and US 6 ran east-west. The circle was killed when I-95 exit 20 (US 6/RI 10) was redone and Providence Place mall was built.
A view of downtown from the southeast. The circle is clearly visible just past the skyscraper with 2 points on top. Also note changes to the 1 way roads along the Providence River.
A view of downtown from the north. The circle is visible just past the Capitol. Also note the ramps where exit 20 (US 6/RI 10) is now.
A view of the circle area from the south. The circle is in the lower right corner. Also note the onramp to I-95 NB where exit 20 (US 6/RI 10) is now.
South of Providence
Original and later plans for the south I-95/RI 10 interchange.
Plans for a western extension of the Airport Connector.
I-95 in Pawtucket
BAD CURVE AHEAD signage on I-95 NB.
BGS on I-95 SB. Text reads {1} SOUTH [15] WEST/North Providence and [114]/BROADWAY/Pawtucket/BUSINESS. BGS on I-95 SB. Text reads RI [126]/Smithfield Ave and {1} SOUTH [15] WEST/North Providence/Pawtucket.
The original section of I-95 in Providence, where US 1 is now multiplexed by necessity. As if you can follow US 1 nowadays.
Old school EXIT 29 gore sign on I-95 NB.
I-195 in Pawtucket
Original configuration of Fox Point Blvd (now I-195 between exits 2 and 3) and 1935 plans to redesign it under the "steadyflow traffic system". Closeup of the west end.
RI 146
Temporary end of RI 146 SB. Sign reads DOWNTOWN/PROVIDENCE/RI 146 SOUTH.
All of RI
Interstate opening dates.
Old maps, including Pawtucket and Providence.
Please email me if you have any comments or corrections.
Most of the scans here are from the book Interstate Highway System and Urban Structure by Hammerschlag (1976). The ones of Fox Point Blvd are from The Steadyflow Traffic System by Malcher (1935).
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