(Updated) Pawtucket new traffic pattern – green and red lanes for bikes and buses only

Dedicated lanes for bicycles and buses are being painted in red and motorists will be required to stay out of them.

That’s the project begun today by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) on Exchange Street in Pawtucket. The “dedicated bus and bike lanes [are] to better link the new Pawtucket/Central Falls Commuter Rail Station with the heart of downtown Pawtucket”, according to a press release on the project.

During this lane painting phase, Pawtucket motorists can continue to use all Exchange Street lanes for vehicular traffic – but after the lane painting project is completed (anticipated completion is September 15, 2022), bus and bike lane enforcement will begin.

Bus lanes will be for Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) buses only.

Motorists will be required to stay out of the solid red lines, designated for bus travel only.

In the areas where the solid red becomes a red dashed line, motorists may use the area to make turns off of Exchange Street.

Bike lanes will be painted in green.

Where the green lanes end, bikes may share the bus lane, noted with the shared lane markings in the red bus lane.

“We have received a number of questions about the work on Exchange Street, and we want Pawtucket motorists to know that for now, they can continue to use all lanes,” said David Clemente, Director of Public Works for the City of Pawtucket. We will be sharing more information to educate Pawtucket drivers about this new traffic pattern, which will enhance connectivity between downtown and the new Pawtucket/Central Falls Commuter Rail Station.”

Bus and bike lane painting on Exchange Street is part of the overall commuter rail station project, located on Pine Street and scheduled for completion at the end of 2022. Work is progressing on the commuter rail station, a new RIPTA bus station, and a new parking lot that will service the Transit Hub.