Interstate 195 is an Interstate Highway running a combined 40.1 miles (64.5 km) in the
U.S. stateA U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
s of
MassachusettsThe 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...
and
Rhode IslandThe 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...
. It travels from a junction with
Interstate 95Interstate 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
Providence, Rhode IslandProvidence 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...
east to a junction with
Interstate 495Interstate 495 is the designation of an Interstate Highway half-beltway in Massachusetts. It was the longest auxiliary Interstate Highway of its kind—measuring 120.74 miles —until 1996, when the PA Route 9 section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike was redesignated as Interstate 476, making it about ...
and
Route 25Route 25 is a numbered state highway located in Plymouth County and Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The route is a nominally east–west freeway for its entire length, and less commonly known as the Blue Star Memorial Highway. An eastward continuation of Interstate 495, Route 25...
in
Wareham, MassachusettsWareham is a town located in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 20,335, with an estimated 2008 population of 21,221....
. It runs east–west and passes through the cities of
Fall River, MassachusettsFall River is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is located about south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and west of New Bedford and south of Taunton. The city's population was 88,857 during the 2010 census, making it the tenth largest city in...
and
New Bedford, MassachusettsNew Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, located south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and about east of Fall River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 95,072, making it the sixth-largest city in Massachusetts...
.
Interstate 195 provides a major direct highway route from New York to Cape Cod via I-95 through
ProvidenceProvidence 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...
as well as for travelers coming from Connecticut, western Massachusetts and other Rhode Island points. Its major junction with I-95 in Downtown Providence provides a direct connection, since improved with the section in downtown Providence being replaced and moved to the south to lie just south of the
Fox Point Hurricane BarrierThe Fox Point Hurricane Barrier is a long tidal flood barrier spanning the Providence River in Providence, Rhode Island, located upstream from Fox Point...
.
Route description
Interstate 195 begins at
Interstate 95Interstate 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...
at a semi-directional T interchange, known as the Iway Project. The road begins concurrent with US 6. From there it continues across the Providence River via the Providence River Bridge where it picks up US 44 and US Route 1A. The road continues into East Providence and all three roads respectively leave the freeway. From there it enters
Seekonk, MassachusettsSeekonk is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, on the Massachusetts border. It was incorporated in 1812 from the western half of Rehoboth. The population was 13,722 at the 2010 census. Until 1862, the town of Seekonk also included what is now the City of East Providence, Rhode...
. From there the road continues east to
Fall River-Cities and towns:In Canada:*Fall River, Nova ScotiaIn the United States:*Fall River, Kansas*Fall River, Massachusetts, the largest city with this name*Fall River, Tennessee*Fall River, Wisconsin*Fall River County, South Dakota-Rivers:In Canada:...
where it has a brief concurrency with MA 24. It then continues through Southeastern Massachusetts passing through
New Bedford-Places:*New Bedford, Illinois*New Bedford, Massachusetts, the most populous New Bedford**New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park*New Bedford, New Jersey *New Bedford, Ohio*New Bedford, Pennsylvania...
where it has an interchange with MA 140. From there it turns northeast and ends at
Interstate 495Interstate 495 is the designation of an Interstate Highway half-beltway in Massachusetts. It was the longest auxiliary Interstate Highway of its kind—measuring 120.74 miles —until 1996, when the PA Route 9 section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike was redesignated as Interstate 476, making it about ...
and MA 25 with a trumpet interchange.
History
Predating I-195 were two sections of road -
Fox Point Boulevard and the
Washington BridgeThe Washington Bridge is a paired bridge carrying Interstate 195 over the Seekonk River from Providence to East Providence, Rhode Island.- History :...
. The Washington Bridge, crossing the
Seekonk RiverThe Seekonk River is a tidal extension of the Providence River in the U.S. state of Rhode Island. It flows approximately 8 km . Most historical scholars agree that the name is derived from two Native American words, sucki and honc...
between Providence and East Providence, was opened on September 25, 1930, replacing an 1885
swing bridgeA swing bridge is a movable bridge that has as its primary structural support a vertical locating pin and support ring, usually at or near to its centre of gravity, about which the turning span can then pivot horizontally as shown in the animated illustration to the right...
with a higher
bascule bridgeA bascule bridge is a moveable bridge with a counterweight that continuously balances the span, or "leaf," throughout the entire upward swing in providing clearance for boat traffic....
. A new eastbound bridge opened in November 1968.
http://www.dot.state.ri.us/WebProj/Washington%20Bridge/bridge.html
Fox Point Boulevard, later
George M. Cohan Boulevard, was a surface boulevard connecting the Washington Bridge west to the Point Street Bridge and downtown Providence. It was built with no cross traffic by using
U-turnA U-turn in driving refers to performing a 180 degree rotation to reverse the direction of travel. It is called a "U-turn" because the maneuver looks like the letter U. In some areas, the maneuver is illegal, while in others it is treated as a more ordinary turn, merely extended...
ramps in the median to reverse direction. This was the last part in Providence to be built as a freeway, opened in December 1968.
The first freeway section came off the west end of Cohan Boulevard and over the
Providence Riverthumb|The city of Providence as seen from the Providence River at its confluence with the Narragansett BayThe Providence River is a tidal river in the U.S. state of Rhode Island. It flows approximately 8 miles...
, ending at the
one-way pairA one-way pair, one-way couple, or just couplet is a pair of parallel, usually one-way streets that carry opposite directions of a signed route or major traffic flow, or sometimes opposite directions of a bus or streetcar route....
of Pine Street and Friendship Street, which opened in November 1958. The ramp to Pine Street has been closed, but the entrance from Friendship Street still exists. The
I-95Interstate 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 at this end opened in fall 1964; the Pine Street ramp was kept for a while.
The next section to be constructed was the part in East Providence. It opened to the last exit before the state line on December 15, 1959, and was extended into
MassachusettsThe 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...
by August 1960.
Before the
Interstate Highway SystemThe Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, , is a network of limited-access roads including freeways, highways, and expressways forming part of the National Highway System of the United States of America...
numbering was decided upon, I-195 was planned as a relocation of US 6; in fact, all but the last section were signed as US 6 when built (the first section only eastbound though). In 1957, the number
Interstate 95E was assigned, as all intercity routes were numbered before the three-digit Interstate numbering was chosen, and the Providence-New Bedford route was too long to be considered intracity. The I-195 designation was assigned in 1959 with the final numbering. At some time after 1976, the definition of I-195 was extended east to I-495 (which was itself extended).
I-195 still carries US 6, now in both directions, from
I-95Interstate 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...
to the last interchange before
MassachusettsThe 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...
. It also carries US 1A and US 44 over the
Washington BridgeThe Washington Bridge is a paired bridge carrying Interstate 195 over the Seekonk River from Providence to East Providence, Rhode Island.- History :...
and its approaches, though the former has almost no signs.
Until around 1990, the US 6 freeway from RI 10 at Olneyville west to I-295 was signed as RI 195.
Iway
Interstate 195's stretch through Providence was reconstructed due to the sharp curves and the way the road cuts through part of the city. The relocation made the segment safer for traffic, reunified the Jewellery District with Downcity Providence, and freed up more space. In the process, some 35 buildings, housing over 80 businesses and six residences were demolished. The new stretch of highway is being called the
IwayThe Iway is the $610 million project by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation to relocate the Interstate 195 and Interstate 95 intersection in Providence, Rhode Island...
by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and includes a signature bridge over the Providence River as well as a landscaped pedestrian walkway over the highway. It connects
India Point ParkIndia Point Park is a park in the Fox Point neighborhood of Providence, Rhode Island at the confluence of the Seekonk River and Providence River. The park takes its name from the maritime activity connecting Providence with the East and West Indies....
to the
Fox PointFox Point is a neighborhood in the East Side of Providence, RI. It is bounded by the Providence and Seekonk rivers, Interstate 195 and the College Hill and Wayland neighborhoods...
neighborhood. The IWay was opened in 2009 and estimated to have cost $446 million. The demolition of the old road is to be completed by 2012.
Exit list
| State |
County |
Location |
#An exit number is a number assigned to a road junction, usually an exit from a freeway. It is usually marked on the same sign as the destinations of the exit, as well as a sign in the gore....
|
Mile |
Destinations |
Notes |
Rhode IslandThe 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...
|
Providence -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 621,602 people, 239,936 households, and 152,839 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,504 people per square mile . There were 253,214 housing units at an average density of 613 per square mile...
|
ProvidenceProvidence 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...
|
0.00 |
I-195 begins at I-95, overlapped with U.S. Route 6 |
|
0.0 |
New York, Boston, HartfordHartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
|
Interstate 195 is fully transitioned over to the new right of way with access ramps to Interstate 95 North and Point street |
| 1A |
0.0 |
Point Street (Interstate 195 WB only) |
|
| 1B |
0.0 |
Eddy Street (Interstate 195 WB only) |
|
| 2 |
0.7 |
East: Wickenden Street Wickenden Street in Providence, Rhode Island is a popular destination for students of the area's colleges and schools. The street is surrounded by universities on the East Side of Providence's College Hill, including Brown University, RISD, Moses Brown School, & The Wheeler School.-History:The...
– India Point
West:  US 44 West (South Main Street) |
To (not signed), US 44/US 1A joins I-195. |
| 0.7 |
US-1A / US-44 join I-195 / US-6 |
| 3 |
1.1 |
Gano Street |
|
East ProvidenceEast Providence is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 47,037 at the 2010 census, making it the fifth largest city in the state.-Geography:East Providence is located at ....
|
4 |
1.8 |
|
Partial interchange: EB exit/WB entrance only, US 44 leaves I-195/US 6/US 1A |
| 1.8 |
U.S. Route 44U.S. Route 44 is an east–west United States highway that runs for 237 miles through four states in the Northeastern region of the United States. The western terminus is at U.S. Route 209 and New York State Route 55 in Kerhonkson, a hamlet in the Hudson Valley region of New York...
leaves I-195 / US-1A / US-6 |
| 5 |
2.0 |
|
Partial interchange: EB exit/WB entrance only
Old US 6. |
| 6 |
2.4 |
Broadway |
Westbound access to US 44 and Route 103 |
| 7 |
3.0 |
|
Partial interchange: EB exit/WB entrance only
East Shore Expressway |
| 8 |
3.2 |
to  Route 114 north – Rumford |
Partial interchange: EB exit/WB entrance only, US 6/1A leaves I-195. |
| 3.2 |
US-1A / US-6 leaves I-195 |
3.82
0.00 |
I-195 crosses MassachusettsThe 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...
-Rhode IslandThe 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...
state border |
MassachusettsThe 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...
|
Bristol |
SeekonkSeekonk is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, on the Massachusetts border. It was incorporated in 1812 from the western half of Rehoboth. The population was 13,722 at the 2010 census. Until 1862, the town of Seekonk also included what is now the City of East Providence, Rhode...
|
1 |
0.58 |
, Barrington, RI |
Provides quick access to U.S. Route 6U.S. Route 6 , also called the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, a name that honors an American Civil War veterans association, is a main route of the U.S. Highway system, running east-northeast from Bishop, California to Provincetown, Massachusetts. Until 1964, it continued south from Bishop to...
|
SwanseaSwansea 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....
|
2 |
4.62 |
- Warren, RI, Newport, RI |
Rte. 136's northern terminus is at this point. |
| 3 |
7.47 |
|
Exit recently expanded; the Swansea Mall Swansea Mall is a regional shopping mall located in Swansea, Massachusetts. It is a large, single-level, fully enclosed facility with over 80 stores, serving the Southeastern Massachusetts area. It is currently owned by Carlyle Swansea Partners and managed by Jones Lang Lasalle.Located off Exit 3...
is located at the intersection of Rtes. 6 & 118. |
| Somerset Somerset is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 18,234 at the 2000 census. It is the birthplace and hometown of Clifford Milburn Holland , the chief engineer and namesake of the Holland Tunnel in New York City....
|
4 |
9.85 |
|
Split into 4A-B westbound; 4B heads eastbound on Wilbur Ave/Rte. 103, 4A heads westbound. Eastbound Exit 4 connects to Lee's River Ave., which terminates just south of the exit at Rte. 103. |
Charles M. Braga Jr. Memorial Bridge over the Taunton RiverThe Taunton River , is a river in southeastern Massachusetts in the United States. It arises from the confluence of the Town River and Matfield River, in the town of Bridgewater...
|
| Fall River Fall River is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is located about south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and west of New Bedford and south of Taunton. The city's population was 88,857 during the 2010 census, making it the tenth largest city in...
|
5 |
11.98 |
, N. Tiverton, RI Tiverton is a census-designated place in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States. The CDP encompasses the town center of Tiverton and the adjacent village of North Tiverton...
|
Southern terminus of Rte. 79 is at this exit. Both sides split after exit to northbound (Rtes. 79/138) and southbound (Rte. 138 only). Exit is at the eastern end of the Charles M. Braga Jr. Memorial Bridge on the eastern banks of the Taunton RiverThe Taunton River , is a river in southeastern Massachusetts in the United States. It arises from the confluence of the Town River and Matfield River, in the town of Bridgewater...
. |
| 6 |
12.42 |
Pleasant Street (Westbound)/Hartwell Street (Eastbound) - Downtown Fall River |
Both exits provide downtown access to Fall River. |
| 7 |
12.70 |
|
Northern terminus of Rte. 81. Exits 6 and 7 share an access ramp on both sides. |
| 8A |
13.77 |
- Tiverton, RI, Newport, RI |
Route 24 joins eastbound and leaves westbound. |
Route 24Route 24 is a freeway south of I-93 in southeastern Massachusetts, linking Fall River with the Boston metropolitan area. It begins in the south in Fall River at the border with Tiverton, Rhode Island where it connects with Rhode Island Route 24, and runs north to an interchange with Interstate...
joins I-195 |
| 8B |
14.60 |
|
Route 24 leaves eastbound and joins westbound. |
Route 24Route 24 is a freeway south of I-93 in southeastern Massachusetts, linking Fall River with the Boston metropolitan area. It begins in the south in Fall River at the border with Tiverton, Rhode Island where it connects with Rhode Island Route 24, and runs north to an interchange with Interstate...
leaves I-195 |
WestportWestport is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 15,532 at the 2010 census.The village of North Westport lies in the town.- History :...
|
9 |
15.35 |
Sanford Road - N. Westport |
Eastbound exit only, no entrances. (Road actually terminates just north of Sanford Rd. on Old Bedford Rd., which was rerouted at the time of original construction.) |
| 10 |
16.34 |
- Horseneck Beach The Horseneck Beach State Reservation is a large public state beach reservation on Westport River, Westport Harbor, Horseneck Channel, The Let, Rhode Island Sound, and Buzzards Bay, in the southern portion of the town of Westport, Massachusetts, USA....
|
Northern terminus of Rte. 88; also provides quick access to Rte. 6 at first exit. |
| Dartmouth Dartmouth is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States established in 1664. The population was 30,665 at the 2000 census. It is the location of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth....
|
11 |
19.43 |
Reed Road - Hixville, Dartmouth |
Split into 11A-B westbound; 11B heads north towards Hixville, 11A heads towards Dartmouth and North Westport. |
| 12 |
21.98 |
Faunce Corner Road - N. Dartmouth |
Split into 12A-B westbound; 12B heads north towards Faunce Corner; 12A heads south on Faunce Corner Mall Rd towards the University of Massachusetts DartmouthThe University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is one of five campuses and operating subdivisions of the University of Massachusetts . It is located in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts, United States, in the center of the South Coast region, between the cities of New Bedford to the east and Fall River...
. |
| New Bedford New Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, located south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and about east of Fall River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 95,072, making it the sixth-largest city in Massachusetts...
|
13A-B |
23.77 |
|
|
| 14 |
24.62 |
Penniman Street |
Eastbound exit/westbound entrance only. |
| 15 |
25.09 |
- Downtown New Bedford |
No access to Route 18 North from I-195 in either direction.
No access to I-195 from Route 18 South. Access to I-195 East and West from Rte. 18 North. |
| 16 |
25.43 |
Washburn Street |
Eastbound exit/entrance only. |
| 17 |
25.54 |
Coggeshall Street |
Westbound exit/entrance only. |
FairhavenFairhaven is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is located on the south coast of Massachusetts where the Acushnet River flows into Buzzards Bay, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean...
|
18 |
27.25 |
|
To U.S. Route 6U.S. Route 6 , also called the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, a name that honors an American Civil War veterans association, is a main route of the U.S. Highway system, running east-northeast from Bishop, California to Provincetown, Massachusetts. Until 1964, it continued south from Bishop to...
; northern terminus of Route 240. |
| Plymouth |
MattapoisettMattapoisett is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 6,463 at the 2008 census.For geographic and demographic information on the village of Mattapoisett Center, please see the article Mattapoisett Center, Massachusetts....
|
19A-B |
30.92 |
Mattapoisett/N. Rochester |
Exit serves North St., which heads south towards US-6 and Mattapoisett Harbor and north towards Rochester. |
MarionMarion is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 5,123 at the 2000 census.For geographic and demographic information on the village of Marion Center, please see the article Marion Center, Massachusetts.-History:...
|
20 |
35.13 |
|
Rte. 105 heads south towards Rte. 6 and Marion Harbor and north towards Rochester. Also provides access to the western parts of Wareham. |
WarehamWareham is a town located in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 20,335, with an estimated 2008 population of 21,221....
|
21 |
39.23 |
|
Ramps recently upgraded with stoplights to accommodate new Wareham Crossing shopping center just northwest of the junction. Southbound heads towards Wareham harbor. |
| 22A |
39.93 |
- Cape CodCape Cod, often referred to locally as simply the Cape, is a cape in the easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts, in the Northeastern United States...
|
Western terminus of Route 25; is the same roadway as I-495.
Eastbound junction/westbound entrance. |
| 22B |
40.73 |
|
Southern terminus of I-495; is the same roadway as Route 25.
Eastbound junction/westbound entrance. |
| 40.73 |
I-195 ends at I-495 / Route 25Route 25 is a numbered state highway located in Plymouth County and Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The route is a nominally east–west freeway for its entire length, and less commonly known as the Blue Star Memorial Highway. An eastward continuation of Interstate 495, Route 25...
|
External links