Description of scheduled work
Advisories
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Open PDF file, 467.15 KB, September 8 Phase 2 Traffic Shifts (English, PDF 467.15 KB)
Construction Look Ahead: October 19 through November 2
What is happening?
Throughout this period, MassDOT will be conducting the initial construction operations and establishing work zones. These activities include but are not limited to the following:
I-195
- Nightly traffic setups
- Installing traffic signage
- Installing temporary lighting
- Median & guardrail demolition
- Ramp demolitions
- Temporary pavement striping
- Crossover construction
- Clearing & grubbing
Local Roadways
- Utility work on Purchase Street, Belleville Avenue, Kenyon Street, Cedar Grove Street, & County Street
- Clean up under the bridge
- Preparatory work on Route 18 and infields
- Wood shielding County Street, Purchase Street, & Route 18
- Clearing & grubbing
These represent the major work operations and other incidental items will also be completed.
Weather and unexpected circumstances make all construction activities subject to change.
How will this affect you?
To enable these operations, I-195 westbound Exit 26 to Route 18 southbound (Ramp C), and the I-195 westbound on-ramp from Route 18 (Ramp D) have closed to traffic on September 8 and will remain closed until the summer of 2027. Detours are in place for trucks and large vehicles on I-195. Personal vehicles can continue to use local roads during ramp closures.
Additionally, temporary, short-term roadway impacts and detours are in place as needed on the routes listed below on various evenings.
The full description of the detour routes can be found by clicking each link.
- Closure of Purchase Street (drivers and pedestrians alternate north or southbound directions during daytime hours of 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)
- Closure of County Street between Cedar Grove Street and Penniman Street (drivers and pedestrians during overnight hours of 7:30 p.m. – 5:30 a.m.)
- Closure of State Street between Cedar Grove Street and Penniman Street (drivers and pedestrians during daytime and overnight hours)
- Closure of Exit 25 I-195 Eastbound to Penniman Street (drivers during overnight hours of 7:30 pm – 5:30 a.m.)
- Closure of Cedar Grove Street Ramp onto I-195 Westbound (drivers during overnight hours of 7:30 pm – 5:30 a.m.)
- Closure of Route 18 Northbound Ramp to I-195 Eastbound (drivers during overnight hours of 7:30 pm – 5:30 a.m.)
- Closure of Exit 28 I-195 Westbound to Coggeshall Street (drivers during overnight hours of 7:30 pm – 5:30 a.m.)
- Closure of Washburn Street to I-195 Eastbound (drivers during overnight hours of 7:30 pm – 5:30 a.m.)
- Closure of Belleville Avenue between Washburn Street and Cedar Grove Street (drivers during daytime hours of 7:00 am – 5:00 p.m.)
- Closure of Kenyon Street between Belleville Avenue and North Front Street (drivers during daytime hours of 7:00 am – 5:00 p.m.)
- Lane closure on Route 18 northbound or southbound (drivers during daytime hours of 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
- Lane closure on Penniman Street between State Street and Purchase Street (drivers during daytime hours of 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Construction Look Ahead: October 5 through October 19
What is happening?
Throughout this period, MassDOT will be conducting the initial construction operations and establishing work zones. These activities include but are not limited to the following:
I-195
- Nightly traffic setups
- Installing traffic signage
- Installing temporary lighting
- Median & guardrail demolition
- Ramp demolitions
- Temporary pavement striping
- Crossover construction
- Clearing & grubbing
Local Roadways
- Utility work on Purchase Street, Belleville Avenue, Kenyon Street, Cedar Grove Street, & County Street
- Clean up under the bridge
- Preparatory work on Route 18 and infields
- Wood shielding County Street, Purchase Street, & Route 18
- Clearing & grubbing
These represent the major work operations and other incidental items will also be completed.
Weather and unexpected circumstances make all construction activities subject to change.
How will this affect you?
To enable these operations, I-195 westbound Exit 26 to Route 18 southbound (Ramp C), and the I-195 westbound on-ramp from Route 18 (Ramp D) have closed to traffic on September 8 and will remain closed until the summer of 2027. Detours are in place for trucks and large vehicles on I-195. Personal vehicles can continue to use local roads during ramp closures.
Additionally, temporary, short-term roadway impacts and detours are in place as needed on the routes listed below on various evenings.
The full description of the detour routes can be found by clicking each link.
- Closure of Purchase Street (drivers and pedestrians alternate north or southbound directions during daytime hours of 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)
- Closure of County Street between Cedar Grove Street and Penniman Street (drivers and pedestrians during overnight hours of 7:30 p.m. – 5:30 a.m.)
- Closure of State Street between Cedar Grove Street and Penniman Street (drivers and pedestrians during daytime and overnight hours)
- Closure of Exit 25 I-195 Eastbound to Penniman Street (drivers during overnight hours of 7:30 pm – 5:30 a.m.)
- Closure of Cedar Grove Street Ramp onto I-195 Westbound (drivers during overnight hours of 7:30 pm – 5:30 a.m.)
- Closure of Route 18 Northbound Ramp to I-195 Eastbound (drivers during overnight hours of 7:30 pm – 5:30 a.m.)
- Closure of Exit 28 I-195 Westbound to Coggeshall Street (drivers during overnight hours of 7:30 pm – 5:30 a.m.)
- Closure of Washburn Street to I-195 Eastbound (drivers during overnight hours of 7:30 pm – 5:30 a.m.)
- Closure of Belleville Avenue between Washburn Street and Cedar Grove Street (drivers during daytime hours of 7:00 am – 5:00 p.m.)
- Closure of Kenyon Street between Belleville Avenue and North Front Street (drivers during daytime hours of 7:00 am – 5:00 p.m.)
- Lane closure on Route 18 northbound or southbound (drivers during daytime hours of 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
- Lane closure on Penniman Street between State Street and Purchase Street (drivers during daytime hours of 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Travel tips
Drivers should take care to pay attention to all signage and move carefully through the work zone. Police details, lane markings, temporary barriers, traffic cones, signage, and other tools will be used to control traffic and create safe work zones.
Individuals traveling through the area during this time will experience short-term traffic delays. Drivers are advised to plan ahead, recognize upcoming impacts, and seek alternate routes as appropriate.
About the project
The interchange was constructed in 1965 and needs rehabilitation and replacement to continue to carry traffic safely. This interchange experiences a high volume of traffic through the interchange daily.
Route I-195 is also a state evacuation route. It travels through New Bedford and provides connections to areas such as Providence, Rhode Island, and Cape Cod. Route 18 carries traffic beneath I-195, connecting downtown New Bedford and points north. Additionally, bicycle and pedestrian traffic interact with the interchange on adjoining local roads.
The goal of this project is to address poor conditions on the aged structure, improve safety and mobility, and construct a noise barrier for community benefit.
How can I find more information?
Stay up-to-date and informed by following the @MassDOT twitter account and Mass 511 for real-time updates, visiting the project website, or emailing us with any questions.