RIPTA is improving the East Side Transit Tunnel!
The East Side Transit Tunnel is a critical piece of historic transit infrastructure connecting downtown Providence to the East Side and beyond. The Tunnel was built in 1914 to aid the former trolley lines in climbing College Hill. Tunnel renovations will include new drainage, improved lighting, structural repairs and the renovation of the 110 year old bus shelter to its original splendor.
Today, the East Side Tunnel continues to support an East-West transit corridor across Providence, providing direct bus travel on dedicated lanes. As RIPTA works to further expand and improve service to meet goals set in our Transit Forward RI 2040 plan, our amenities and infrastructure need to be able to support more riders and more buses.
RIPTA riders deserve comfortable, safe, and accessible amenities while waiting for the bus. In this project, RIPTA aims to create conceptual plans to improve the passenger experience on both ends of the Tunnel, including recommendations for bus stop locations and better amenities such as signage, shelters, and lighting – as well as ADA accessibility. RIPTA will also honor the historic nature of the Tunnel and its location in the community, using this project as an opportunity for placemaking. To this end, we have engaged with a variety of historic preservation organizations, neighborhood and business organizations, and the higher educational institutions that exist over and around it.
Project Update
Construction of the tunnel interior is started on March 25, 2024 and will be completed by the end of October 2024. The construction will address issues inside the tunnel such as drainage, lighting, and patching cracks in the walls and ceiling. The project will also include restoration of the shelter on North Main Street, honoring the historic nature of the Tunnel.
UPDATE: RIPTA to Reopen East Side Tunnel on Thursday, October 31, 2024
Routes 1, 32, 33, 34, 40, and 61X will no longer be detoured
The East Side Tunnel will officially reopen to bus service on October 31, 2024. With the reopening, detours that have been in place since March 25, 2024, will be lifted, and all affected bus routes—Routes 1, 32, 33, 34, 40, and 61X—will return to their regular routing through the tunnel.
Route 1, 32, 33, 34, 40, and 61X riders should note the following updates:
- All detours will be lifted, and buses will resume regular service through the tunnel, including direct service to stops on Angell Street, Waterman Street, and North Main Street.
- The East Side Tunnel bus shelter on North Main Street will be reopened.
- All temporary bus stops will be removed; riders can board at their regular bus stop.
Next Steps
At this time, North Main Street’s exterior bi-directional bus lane plan will not be moving forward. However, Thayer Street’s plan will soon start engineering and design. The conceptual design was determined based on the input RIPTA received and in keeping with our project goals of safety, accessibility, and passenger comfort.
Thayer St
Thayer Street Rendering
RIPTA’s Project Management team is overseeing this project, including the full design and construction of the improved bus stops at Thayer Street. This process involves continued contact with our stakeholders and working with the City and RIDOT for approval and permitting.
Further questions can be directed to Director of Communications Cristy Raposo Perry at raposo@ripta.com