City of Providence Announces Slow Streets Pilot Program

Limiting Access to Designated Roadways and Reopening Green Spaces

Providence, RI — Mayor Jorge O. Elorza today announced Providence Slow Streets, a new effort to make it safer for residents to walk, run and ride bicycles while maintaining social distancing. Starting May 2, the City of Providence will limit through traffic on select city roadways. Both the reduction of traffic and increase of space will provide a safe environment for residents to maintain physical and mental health in their neighborhoods. Additionally, select greenspaces and parks will be reopened for active use only.

“Providence remains steadfast in its commitment to safe, equitable streets” said Mayor Jorge Elorza. “By reimaging our largest public asset—our streets—we will immediately provide our residents with space right outside their doors to stay active. As we continue to navigate the public health crisis, I’m proud to take this bold step to keep residents safe and healthy.”

Earlier this month, the City of Providence closed parks and greenspaces for pedestrian and recreational use to prevent further community spread of COVID-19. To adhere to the regulations, residents—especially in communities that lack backyard space—began utilizing city streets and sidewalks for daily exercise. In high-density neighborhoods it can become diﬃcult to maintain six feet of physical distance on crowded sidewalks. The Providence Slow Streets pilot specifically targets these areas to create extra space for pedestrian and bicycle traffic in neighborhoods that need it the most.

About 13 miles of city streets will be designated as Slow Street zones under the pilot program. Emergency vehicles, residents who live on the street, and vehicles that require access for essential services like trash and recycling pickup or deliveries, will still have access. The City urges permitted vehicles to drive slowly and safely to allow pedestrian and bicycle traffic to safely coexist on the roads. A strict 10 MPH speed limit will be posted, with daily monitoring by community volunteers. Police will enforce speeding infractions, when necessary.

Under the pilot program, the following streets will be temporarily closed to through traffic:

Oxford and Ontario streets (between Elmwood Avenue and Eddy Street)
Vermont and Farragut avenues (between FC Greene Memorial Boulevard and Michigan Avenue)
Waverly and Peace streets (between Union and Elmwood avenues)
Elmdale Avenue, What Cheer Avenue, and Moorefield Street (between Plainfield and Whitehall streets)
Leah and Roanoke streets (between Atwells and Academy avenues)
Brown and Camp streets (between Meeting Street and Stenton Avenue)
Federal and Ring streets (between Tobey and Dean streets)
Governor Street (between Wickenden and Angell streets)
Amherst Street (between Erastus and Bowdoin streets)
Pleasant Valley Parkway and Nelson Street (between Rosebank Avenue and Walton Street)
Parade Street (between Chapin Avenue and Westminster Street)
Eastwood Street (between Merino and Heath streets)
Camden Street (between Douglas and Chalkstone avenues)
Roger Williams Park Loop Road (FC Greene Memorial Boulevard, Maple Avenue, and Cladrash’s Avenue)

The temporary road closures will be in effect starting Saturday, May 2, until further notice, 24 hours a day. All off road paths and trails, including Blackstone Boulevard and Pleasant Valley Parkway will be open for pedestrian use.

Additionally, the following greenspaces will be reopened for active use (e.g. walking, running, biking) and local access only:

Blackstone Park
Dexter Training Grounds
Donigian Park
Gano Street Park
India Point Park
Neutaconkanut Park
Riverside Park
Roger Williams Park
Wanskuck Park

Parking lots in these areas will remain closed. Courts, fields and playground will remain closed.

Ahead of the May 2 launch, the Department of Public Works will install signs and temporary barricades along designated streets to divert and slow down traffic. Along with signage, the City will work closely with residents, park volunteers and businesses within the corridors to build awareness and promote best practices. They include:

Maintaining a physical distance of at least 6 feet
Limiting group to five family or household members
Wearing face protection, such as bandanas or fabric masks that cover the nose and mouth (individuals 2 and older)
Using extra caution when driving
Staying home if any symptoms are experienced
Yielding to people who are walking, running, or biking
Obeying all traffic laws, signals, and signage

More details about Providence Slow Streets—including an interactive map of street locations—can be accessed at www.pvdcovid19.com. Residents are also encouraged to post on social media using the #PVDSlowStreets hashtag to share their experience.

For more information on COVID-19, residents can visit our website, call to connect to the Mayor’s Center for City Services by dialing 3-1-1, visiting www.PVD311.com or downloading the PVD311 mobile app on your smartphone for 24/7 access. Residents can register to receive CodeRED emergency notifications by phone, email, text, and/or mobile alerts for the latest updates from the City and to reach out to the Rhode Island Department of Health’s COVID-19 Hotline at 401-222-8022 (211 after hours) should they have additional questions.