Interstate 895 (Rhode Island-Massachusetts)
Encyclopedia
Interstate 895 was a proposed Interstate Highway in Rhode Island
and Massachusetts
that would have supplemented Interstate 295 to create a full beltway around Providence
.
and Barrington
.
metro area.
Interstate 895's southern terminus would have been at the present-day Route 37
/Interstate 295 interchange in Cranston
. From that point, it would have used the current RI 37 freeway, which would have been extended past its current eastern terminus with U.S. Route 1
, through Cranston
and Warwick
to Conimicut Point where it would have used a new bridge over Narragansett Bay
to reach Barrington
. The Highway would have proceeded east through Barrington
along Nayatt Road then turned northeast in the vicinity of Rumstick Road along Route 114
, Rhode Island Route 136 and Massachusetts Route 136
to interchange with Interstate 195 near Exit 2 in Swansea
, Massachusetts
. From there it would have proceeded north and west, roughly along Route 118
to end at the Interstate 295/Interstate 95
interchange in Attleboro
, Massachusetts
.
.
The route would have started at the Route 138
/Interstate 95
interchange in Richmond
where it would have headed to U.S. Route 1
via a never-built freeway. At U.S. Route 1
, that freeway would have connected to, and traveled along, the present-day Route 138
freeway over the Jamestown-Verrazano Bridge
and the Newport Pell Bridge
to Newport
. From the Newport Pell Bridge
, it would have traveled north through Aquidneck Island
using one of two possible alignments. One alignment was directly along the west shore of the island and the second alignment was between Route 114
and Route 138
. At the northern end of Aquidneck Island
, the highway would have proceeded over the Mount Hope Bridge
(a new span would have been built next to the existing span to accommodate southbound traffic), then along Route 136
through Bristol
and Warren
, and into Massachusetts along Route 136 to interchange with Interstate 195 near Exit 2 in Swansea
, Massachusetts
. From there it would have proceeded north and west, roughly along Route 118
to end at the Interstate 295/Interstate 95
interchange in Attleboro
, Massachusetts
.
This route was also met with much opposition from residents in the communities affected. This opposition, combined with the discovery of a Civil War
-era cemetery along one of the proposed Aquidneck Island
alignments, caused Rhode Island
and Massachusetts
to briefly consider putting Interstate 895 along Rhode Island Route 24 and Massachusetts Route 24, though nothing ever came of those plans and eventually all plans for Interstate 895 were abandoned.
interchange in Attleboro
, Massachusetts
is a half-cloverleaf
with space left for connector ramps to Interstate 895. Current plans indicate an Attleboro connector in the near future. 41.9558°N 71.3025°W
The obvious stub ramps of the partially completed Newport Bridge
Access Road in northern Newport
(originally intended to terminate at Route 214
in Middletown
) would have provided connections for the never-built part of Interstate 895 through Newport. One of these stubs now connects to a nearby Best Western
hotel. 41.5089°N 71.3146°W
The interchange with U.S. Route 1
at end of the Route 138
freeway was a half-cloverleaf
with space left for connector ramps to the never-built section of freeway between U.S. Route 1
and Interstate 95
. In the summer of 2008, the rest of the cloverleaf was completed for u-turns on US-1. 41.5300°N 71.4661°W
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
and Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
that would have supplemented Interstate 295 to create a full beltway around Providence
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
.
History
Interstate 895 was officially added to the Interstate System in 1968 and officially deleted in 1982. Throughout the planning process, there were two different routes proposed, the second of which only being proposed after the first route met with considerable opposition from residents in WarwickWarwick, Rhode Island
Warwick is a city in Kent County, Rhode Island, United States. It is the second largest city in the state, with a population of 82,672 at the 2010 census. Its mayor has been Scott Avedisian since 2000...
and Barrington
Barrington, Rhode Island
Barrington is a town in Bristol County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 16,310 at the 2010 census.In July 2005, CNN/Money and Money magazine ranked Barrington sixth on its list of the 100 best places to live in the United States.-History:...
.
Original route
The original route for Interstate 895 was the shorter of the two routes and would have stayed completely within the ProvidenceProvidence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
metro area.
Interstate 895's southern terminus would have been at the present-day Route 37
Route 37 (Rhode Island)
Route 37, also known as the Lincoln Avenue Freeway, is a numbered state highway running in Providence County and Kent County, Rhode Island, United States. The route is a nominally east–west freeway for its entire length. Route 37 serves the cities of Cranston and Warwick and is also a major...
/Interstate 295 interchange in Cranston
Cranston, Rhode Island
Cranston, once known as Pawtuxet, is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. With a population of 80,387 at the 2010 census, it is the third largest city in the state. The center of population of Rhode Island is located in Cranston...
. From that point, it would have used the current RI 37 freeway, which would have been extended past its current eastern terminus with U.S. Route 1
U.S. Route 1
U.S. Route 1 is a major north–south U.S. Highway that serves the East Coast of the United States. It runs 2,377 miles from Fort Kent, Maine at the Canadian border south to Key West, Florida. U.S. 1 generally parallels Interstate 95, though it is significantly farther west between...
, through Cranston
Cranston, Rhode Island
Cranston, once known as Pawtuxet, is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. With a population of 80,387 at the 2010 census, it is the third largest city in the state. The center of population of Rhode Island is located in Cranston...
and Warwick
Warwick, Rhode Island
Warwick is a city in Kent County, Rhode Island, United States. It is the second largest city in the state, with a population of 82,672 at the 2010 census. Its mayor has been Scott Avedisian since 2000...
to Conimicut Point where it would have used a new bridge over Narragansett Bay
Narragansett Bay
Narragansett Bay is a bay and estuary on the north side of Rhode Island Sound. Covering 147 mi2 , the Bay forms New England's largest estuary, which functions as an expansive natural harbor, and includes a small archipelago...
to reach Barrington
Barrington, Rhode Island
Barrington is a town in Bristol County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 16,310 at the 2010 census.In July 2005, CNN/Money and Money magazine ranked Barrington sixth on its list of the 100 best places to live in the United States.-History:...
. The Highway would have proceeded east through Barrington
Barrington, Rhode Island
Barrington is a town in Bristol County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 16,310 at the 2010 census.In July 2005, CNN/Money and Money magazine ranked Barrington sixth on its list of the 100 best places to live in the United States.-History:...
along Nayatt Road then turned northeast in the vicinity of Rumstick Road along Route 114
Route 114 (Rhode Island)
Route 114 is a numbered State Highway running in the U.S. state of Rhode Island. It connects the city of Newport to the city of Woonsocket. Route 114 was a major north–south artery for its entire length until the arrival of the Interstate Highway System...
, Rhode Island Route 136 and Massachusetts Route 136
Massachusetts Route 136
Route 136 is a south–north state highway entirely in Swansea, Massachusetts that is a continuation of R.I. Route 136, connecting that road with Exit 2 of I-195 after crossing Route 6...
to interchange with Interstate 195 near Exit 2 in Swansea
Swansea, Massachusetts
Swansea is a town in Bristol County in southeastern Massachusetts.It is located at the mouth of the Taunton River, just west of Fall River, 47 miles south of Boston; and 12 miles southeast of Providence, Rhode Island....
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. From there it would have proceeded north and west, roughly along Route 118
Route 118 (Massachusetts)
Route 118 is a north-south state highway in Bristol County, Massachusetts.-Route description:Route 118 begins at U.S. Route 6 just east of I-195's Exit 3. The route, which begins as Swansea Mall Drive, passes Swansea Mall and the Swansea Crossing shopping center before crossing Wood Street and...
to end at the Interstate 295/Interstate 95
Interstate 95 in Massachusetts
Interstate 95 is the main highway on the East Coast of the United States, paralleling the Atlantic Ocean from Florida to Maine. The Massachusetts portion of the highway enters from the state of Rhode Island in Attleboro and travels in a northeasterly direction to the junction with Route 128 in...
interchange in Attleboro
Attleboro, Massachusetts
Attleboro is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States and is immediately north of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Once known as "The Jewelry Capital of the World" for its many jewelry manufacturers, Attleboro had a population of 42,068 at the 2000 census, and a population of 43,645 as of...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
.
Alternate route
Interstate 895's alternate route was planned after the original route was cancelled due to community opposition. The alternate route would have been far longer than the original, but would have provided access to NewportNewport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
.
The route would have started at the Route 138
Route 138 (Rhode Island)
Route 138 is a numbered State Highway running in Rhode Island. It runs from the Connecticut state line to the Massachusetts state line and is the only state-numbered route that traverses the entire state.-Route description:...
/Interstate 95
Interstate 95 in Rhode Island
Interstate 95, the main north–south Interstate Highway on the east coast of the United States, runs generally southwest-northeast through the U.S. state of Rhode Island. It runs from the border with Connecticut near Westerly through Warwick and Providence and to the Massachusetts state line...
interchange in Richmond
Richmond, Rhode Island
Richmond is a town in Washington County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 7,708 at the 2010 census. The villages of Alton, Arcadia, Carolina, Hope Valley, Kenyon, Shannock, Usquepaug, Woodville, and Wyoming are located in Richmond.-History:The town of Richmond was originally part...
where it would have headed to U.S. Route 1
U.S. Route 1
U.S. Route 1 is a major north–south U.S. Highway that serves the East Coast of the United States. It runs 2,377 miles from Fort Kent, Maine at the Canadian border south to Key West, Florida. U.S. 1 generally parallels Interstate 95, though it is significantly farther west between...
via a never-built freeway. At U.S. Route 1
U.S. Route 1
U.S. Route 1 is a major north–south U.S. Highway that serves the East Coast of the United States. It runs 2,377 miles from Fort Kent, Maine at the Canadian border south to Key West, Florida. U.S. 1 generally parallels Interstate 95, though it is significantly farther west between...
, that freeway would have connected to, and traveled along, the present-day Route 138
Route 138 (Rhode Island)
Route 138 is a numbered State Highway running in Rhode Island. It runs from the Connecticut state line to the Massachusetts state line and is the only state-numbered route that traverses the entire state.-Route description:...
freeway over the Jamestown-Verrazano Bridge
Jamestown-Verrazano Bridge
The Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge spans the West Passage of Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island, United States...
and the Newport Pell Bridge
Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge
The Claiborne Pell Bridge, commonly known as the Newport Bridge, is a suspension bridge operated by the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority that spans the East Passage of the Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island , connecting the City of Newport on Aquidneck Island and the Town of Jamestown on...
to Newport
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
. From the Newport Pell Bridge
Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge
The Claiborne Pell Bridge, commonly known as the Newport Bridge, is a suspension bridge operated by the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority that spans the East Passage of the Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island , connecting the City of Newport on Aquidneck Island and the Town of Jamestown on...
, it would have traveled north through Aquidneck Island
Aquidneck Island
Aquidneck Island, located in the state of Rhode Island, is the largest island in Narragansett Bay. The island's official name is Rhode Island, and the common use of name "Aquidneck Island" helps distinguish the island from the state. The total land area is 97.9 km²...
using one of two possible alignments. One alignment was directly along the west shore of the island and the second alignment was between Route 114
Route 114 (Rhode Island)
Route 114 is a numbered State Highway running in the U.S. state of Rhode Island. It connects the city of Newport to the city of Woonsocket. Route 114 was a major north–south artery for its entire length until the arrival of the Interstate Highway System...
and Route 138
Route 138 (Rhode Island)
Route 138 is a numbered State Highway running in Rhode Island. It runs from the Connecticut state line to the Massachusetts state line and is the only state-numbered route that traverses the entire state.-Route description:...
. At the northern end of Aquidneck Island
Aquidneck Island
Aquidneck Island, located in the state of Rhode Island, is the largest island in Narragansett Bay. The island's official name is Rhode Island, and the common use of name "Aquidneck Island" helps distinguish the island from the state. The total land area is 97.9 km²...
, the highway would have proceeded over the Mount Hope Bridge
Mount Hope Bridge
The Mount Hope Bridge is a two-lane suspension bridge spanning the Mount Hope Bay in eastern Rhode Island, at one of the narrowest gaps in Narragansett Bay. The bridge connects the Rhode Island towns of Portsmouth and Bristol, and is part of Route 114...
(a new span would have been built next to the existing span to accommodate southbound traffic), then along Route 136
Route 136 (Rhode Island)
-Route:Route 136 takes the following route through the State:*Bristol: ; Route 114 to Warren town line**Metacom Avenue*Warren: ; Bristol town line to Massachusetts State line at Route 136...
through Bristol
Bristol, Rhode Island
Bristol is a town in and the historic county seat of Bristol County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 22,954 at the 2010 census. Bristol, a deepwater seaport, is named after Bristol, England....
and Warren
Warren, Rhode Island
Warren is a town in Bristol County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 10,611 at the 2010 census.-History:Warren was the site of the Indian village of Sowams on the peninsula called Pokanoket , and was first explored by Europeans in 1621, by Edward Winslow and Stephen Hopkins...
, and into Massachusetts along Route 136 to interchange with Interstate 195 near Exit 2 in Swansea
Swansea, Massachusetts
Swansea is a town in Bristol County in southeastern Massachusetts.It is located at the mouth of the Taunton River, just west of Fall River, 47 miles south of Boston; and 12 miles southeast of Providence, Rhode Island....
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. From there it would have proceeded north and west, roughly along Route 118
Route 118 (Massachusetts)
Route 118 is a north-south state highway in Bristol County, Massachusetts.-Route description:Route 118 begins at U.S. Route 6 just east of I-195's Exit 3. The route, which begins as Swansea Mall Drive, passes Swansea Mall and the Swansea Crossing shopping center before crossing Wood Street and...
to end at the Interstate 295/Interstate 95
Interstate 95 in Massachusetts
Interstate 95 is the main highway on the East Coast of the United States, paralleling the Atlantic Ocean from Florida to Maine. The Massachusetts portion of the highway enters from the state of Rhode Island in Attleboro and travels in a northeasterly direction to the junction with Route 128 in...
interchange in Attleboro
Attleboro, Massachusetts
Attleboro is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States and is immediately north of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Once known as "The Jewelry Capital of the World" for its many jewelry manufacturers, Attleboro had a population of 42,068 at the 2000 census, and a population of 43,645 as of...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
.
This route was also met with much opposition from residents in the communities affected. This opposition, combined with the discovery of a Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
-era cemetery along one of the proposed Aquidneck Island
Aquidneck Island
Aquidneck Island, located in the state of Rhode Island, is the largest island in Narragansett Bay. The island's official name is Rhode Island, and the common use of name "Aquidneck Island" helps distinguish the island from the state. The total land area is 97.9 km²...
alignments, caused Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
and Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
to briefly consider putting Interstate 895 along Rhode Island Route 24 and Massachusetts Route 24, though nothing ever came of those plans and eventually all plans for Interstate 895 were abandoned.
Existing pieces
The Interstate 295/Interstate 95Interstate 95 in Massachusetts
Interstate 95 is the main highway on the East Coast of the United States, paralleling the Atlantic Ocean from Florida to Maine. The Massachusetts portion of the highway enters from the state of Rhode Island in Attleboro and travels in a northeasterly direction to the junction with Route 128 in...
interchange in Attleboro
Attleboro, Massachusetts
Attleboro is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States and is immediately north of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Once known as "The Jewelry Capital of the World" for its many jewelry manufacturers, Attleboro had a population of 42,068 at the 2000 census, and a population of 43,645 as of...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
is a half-cloverleaf
Cloverleaf interchange
A cloverleaf interchange is a two-level interchange in which left turns, reverse direction in left-driving regions, are handled by ramp roads...
with space left for connector ramps to Interstate 895. Current plans indicate an Attleboro connector in the near future. 41.9558°N 71.3025°W
The obvious stub ramps of the partially completed Newport Bridge
Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge
The Claiborne Pell Bridge, commonly known as the Newport Bridge, is a suspension bridge operated by the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority that spans the East Passage of the Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island , connecting the City of Newport on Aquidneck Island and the Town of Jamestown on...
Access Road in northern Newport
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
(originally intended to terminate at Route 214
Route 214 (Rhode Island)
-Route:Route 214 takes the following route through the State:*Middletown: ; Route 138A to Route 114**Valley Road-Notes:Route 214 is a spur from Route 114 which serves an industrial park....
in Middletown
Middletown, Rhode Island
Middletown is a town in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 16,150 at the 2010 census. It lies to the south of Portsmouth and to the north of Newport on Aquidneck Island, hence the name "Middletown."-Geography:...
) would have provided connections for the never-built part of Interstate 895 through Newport. One of these stubs now connects to a nearby Best Western
Best Western
Best Western International, Inc. is the third largest hotel chain, with over 4,195 hotels in nearly 80 countries. The chain, with its corporate headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, operates more than 2,000 hotels in North America alone. Best Western has a marketing program involving placement of free...
hotel. 41.5089°N 71.3146°W
The interchange with U.S. Route 1
U.S. Route 1
U.S. Route 1 is a major north–south U.S. Highway that serves the East Coast of the United States. It runs 2,377 miles from Fort Kent, Maine at the Canadian border south to Key West, Florida. U.S. 1 generally parallels Interstate 95, though it is significantly farther west between...
at end of the Route 138
Route 138 (Rhode Island)
Route 138 is a numbered State Highway running in Rhode Island. It runs from the Connecticut state line to the Massachusetts state line and is the only state-numbered route that traverses the entire state.-Route description:...
freeway was a half-cloverleaf
Cloverleaf interchange
A cloverleaf interchange is a two-level interchange in which left turns, reverse direction in left-driving regions, are handled by ramp roads...
with space left for connector ramps to the never-built section of freeway between U.S. Route 1
U.S. Route 1
U.S. Route 1 is a major north–south U.S. Highway that serves the East Coast of the United States. It runs 2,377 miles from Fort Kent, Maine at the Canadian border south to Key West, Florida. U.S. 1 generally parallels Interstate 95, though it is significantly farther west between...
and Interstate 95
Interstate 95 in Rhode Island
Interstate 95, the main north–south Interstate Highway on the east coast of the United States, runs generally southwest-northeast through the U.S. state of Rhode Island. It runs from the border with Connecticut near Westerly through Warwick and Providence and to the Massachusetts state line...
. In the summer of 2008, the rest of the cloverleaf was completed for u-turns on US-1. 41.5300°N 71.4661°W