Skip to main content

Rhode Island targets concrete roads for major noise reduction project

The Department of Transport in Rhode Island is about to set up a major noise reduction project on the area’s concrete road surfaces, many of which will be reformed overnight. Work begins now on I-195 in Providence and there will be overnight road closure for most of the Autumn. Nearly one year after the Rhode Island Department of Transportation opened the Iway's final ramp, the Rhode Island Department of Transport (RIDOT) has decided that it needs to reduce the high level of noise that the highway's concret
October 10, 2012 Read time: 3 mins
The Department of Transport in Rhode Island is about to set up a major noise reduction project on the area’s concrete road surfaces, many of which will be reformed overnight. Work begins now on I-195 in Providence and there will be overnight road closure for most of the Autumn.

Nearly one year after the 3536 Rhode Island Department of Transportation opened the Iway's final ramp, the Rhode Island Department of Transport (RIDOT) has decided that it needs to reduce the high level of noise that the highway's concrete surfaces are generating.

As part of the review of the new highway and its environmental impact, RIDOT has concluded that the new roads are working well generating less congestion and higher average traffic speeds. The downside has been increased noise levels in the Iway corridor, specifically on the concrete pavements.

The Iway's elevated concrete ramps and bridges have shallow grooves designed to give more grip and traction, as well as better drainage and water run-off. These run perpendicular to the direction of traffic and the authority has decided to machine these surfaces to change the direction of the grooves so they will run in the same direction as traffic and make things quieter.

The Department of Transportation has told local press that the project will cost US $776,000 and that the money has been built into the 2012/13 budget.

RIDOT has also revealed that it has opted for surface machining approach after consulting with a number of other transport authorities around the country that have also been grappling with similar noise concerns from concrete highway pavements. Instead of building expensive sound walls which are not always effective and could obstruct views, RIDOT opted to pursue the machining operation.

In addition to reducing highway noise, RIDOT hopes that the project will result in helping to smoothe the driving surface and improve rideability. The method RIDOT is using is identical to the recent treatment by the 6167 Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority to improve the driving surface on the Pell Bridge in Newport.

Also as part of this project, RIDOT will be machining the surface of the eastbound lanes of the Washington Bridge, which also have a concrete surface.

Related Content

  • New section planned for the Pennsylvania Turnpike
    March 27, 2020
    A new stretch of road is needed for the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
  • New soil compactor launches from key manufacturers
    May 30, 2013
    Major manufacturers continue to develop new soil compactor models - Mike Woof reports. Innovations in machine design are being seen in the soil compaction sector from a number of major firms. As in other equipment sectors, new engine emissions legislation has played a huge role in driving the latest design changes. Europe, the US and Japan are rolling in the new Tier 4 Final/Stage IV legislation on noise and exhaust emissions which will be phased in across power output classes from the start of January 2014
  • New funding for 44 infrastructure projects
    December 26, 2024
    New funding awards escalate the launch of 44 major infrastructure projects.
  • America faces another major highway funding crisis says TCC
    October 3, 2014
    The United State is facing yet another national highway funding crisis as the country’s new fiscal year begins. Despite the fact that October 1 marked the beginning of America’s new financial year, Congress has still not passed or approved the funding for a new long-term surface transportation measure. This is really worrying the 31-member-strong Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) which is arguing that a “failure to act” will “lead to another self-imposed funding crisis that would undermine vital r