September 27, 2024

Press Releases

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) announced today that the East Side Tunnel will remain closed for repairs and renovations through October 31, 2024.

Routes 1, 32, 33, 34, 40 and 61x will continue to be on detour through the end of October to accommodate East Side Tunnel construction. The Tunnel closed for repairs on March 25, 2024.

This critical piece of transit infrastructure was built in 1914 to help former trolley lines reach the top of College Hill as they traveled from downtown Providence to the East Side and beyond. The tunnel is still a vital connector today, allowing buses to avoid the steep incline of College Hill.

Click here to view a map of the temporary bus stops and to learn more about this project.

While the tunnel was initially scheduled to reopen this week, the discovery of over 20,000 linear feet of previously unknown leak repairs—likely caused by water seeping through cold joints and non-structural cracks—has delayed the reopening by a few weeks.

The following detours will remain in place through October 2024:

Routes 32, 33, 34, 40 and 61x

Inbound trips will travel regular route to the intersection of Angell and Thayer Streets, continue onto Angell Street through to Steeple Street and then resume regular route. Passengers will utilize the bus stop on Angell Street at Hope Street. There will be no stops between Angell and Hope Streets and Kennedy Plaza.

Outbound trips will travel regular route to North Main Street via Washington Place, continue up the hill on Waterman Street and then resume regular route. At the bottom of the hill, passengers will board at a temporary stop on the traffic island on Washington Place. At the top of the hill, passengers will utilize the bus stop on Waterman Street at Hope Street.

Route 1

Inbound trips will travel regular route to Thayer Street, left onto Waterman Street, left onto Brook Street, left onto Angell Street, continue on Angell Street through to Steeple Street and then resume regular route. Passengers will utilize the bus stop on Thayer Street before Meeting Street. There will be no stops between Thayer and Meeting Streets and Kennedy Plaza.

Outbound trips will travel regular route to North Main Street via Washington Place, continue up the hill on Waterman Street, turn left onto Brook Street and then resume regular route. At the bottom of the hill, passengers will board at a temporary stop on the pedestrian island on Washington Place. At the top of the hill, passengers will utilize the bus stop on Brook Street after Angell Street.

For more information on RIPTA services, call 401-781-9400 or visit RIPTA.com.