PROVIDENCE – A busy roadway that runs along the border between North Smithfield and Woonsocket will soon get a lot busier, and three northern Rhode Island legislators are asking the Rhode Island Department of Transportation to pay careful attention to the issue.
State Reps. Brian Newberry, Jon Brien and Stephen Casey issued a joint statement of concern this week regarding traffic on Smithfield Road with the planned opening of Nasuti Elementary School.
The space at 44 Smithfield Road has long held Barry Field, which served as home to the Woonsocket High School football team. The district’s field was recently moved to Cass Park, with plans to consolidate students from Bernon Heights, Kevin K. Coleman, and Globe Park Elementary into a new building on the 22-acre lot, situated by Park Square.
Now under construction, the new 131,000-square-foot school will occupy roughly half of the former Barry Field site. Ground work on the property began last October, with footings and initial steel work the focus in recent months, and the facility reportedly on track to open at the start of the 2027-2028 school year.
The property sits just across from residential neighborhoods in North Smithfield, as well as North Smithfield police headquarters, and takes up a dominant space in what is already of one of the busiest corridors in the region. Site plans for the building show two entrances on Smithfield Road in the often congested stretch of roadway between Providence Street and Park Square.
In February, Woonsocket Public Works Director Stephen D’Agostino warned that if measures are not taken, increased traffic from the school would bring the nearby intersection to the brink of failure during morning drop off and afternoon pickup times, according to reports. The DPW director said in February that forwarded his recommendations for upgrades to the roadway to RIDOT.
And now, three legislators from differing political affiliations are also raising concerns. The joint statement from Newberry, a Republican representing North Smithfield and Burrillville; Brien, an independent representing Woonsocket and North Smithfield; and Casey, a Democrat representing Woonsocket, noted they are asking RIDOT for assistance with planned future traffic mitigation.
“While it is good the children of Woonsocket will be getting a brand new school, residents in both towns, not just those in the heavily residential areas nearby, but anyone who regularly drives that very busy route, including all three of us, have expressed concerns for some time now about the expected traffic the new school will introduce,” the statement notes.
The legislators note that in the past, Barry Field was only busy during sporting events, and it was a “manageable problem.”
“With the influx of traffic, we are very concerned that proper traffic plans be implemented so as not to cause chaos, especially during pick up and drop off times,” the group noted. “We hope RIDOT has been consulted and has plans in place, and are respectfully asking for their input.”
The legislators added that residents must also be encouraged to express their concerns.
“The school is going to happen,” they noted. “We need to make sure it happens thoughtfully, with commuter safety and strategic traffic patterns included in the plans.”
RIDOT spokesman Charles St. Martin said that RIDOT is in contact with local officials and has provided information on the process of submitting a physical alteration permit application or PAPA, with a traffic study to detail the impact of the new school on the state road.
“The contractor for the municipalities involved in this construction has begun the PAPA process,” said St. Martin. “The level of traffic improvements needed will be based on RIDOT’s review of the information and plans received during the PAPA process.”
St. Martin said any costs associated with the needed traffic improvements would be paid for by those constructing the development. He said that as part of the PAPA review for traffic control and safety devices on a state road, the State Traffic Commission will review the studies in an open meeting where the public may attend and comment.
Follow the money and back slapping….that’s all the suits do is cover each others…..
This topic has been reviewed and debated. Mr. D’Agostino sent a plan to the state that will not solve the problem. The Woonsocket City council especially Mr. Cournoyer does not want to address the issue personally and says the state is handling the problem so when the problem does happen, and it will happen, Mr. Cournoyer can point the blame at someone. The City of Woonsocket needs to get involved and demand a plan from the state with monthly check points and progress reports. A letter from politicians is not going to solve the problem. This is typical RI were politicians send a letter and feel they have done their part, but in fact they have done nothing but pass the buck. Has anyone actually driven on that road recently. The road is in awful condition with more potholes than road. Also the traffic is not good at most times of the day so can anyone envision the issue when the school is opened. Secondly this is not the best place for a school in Woonsocket. The school is on the edge of town and would have been better served in a more central location that can handle the traffic. For example the school could have been built were the unnecessary sports complex is being built. Barry Field was the perfect place for a sports complex with easy highway access for opposing teams. This decision to build a school was just so unions can waste more tax dollars and was conceived with zero critical thinking and the uneducated.
Well said!
Typical Rhode Island and Woonsocket politics! Screw the taxpayer then ask for forgiveness!
NOW they’re worried about traffic? That should have been a big concern BEFORE that was built! God forbid this happens, but, how many children are going to get killed or hurt from running across that busy road? This is a disaster waiting to happen! I live on upper Providence st and it’s already a speedway. It’s going to be a nightmare!
TO LATE NOW STUDY SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE 1ST
I AGREE SAID THAT BEFORE BEING BUILT.TRAFFIC WILL BE STOPED AT PARK AVE AND PROVIDENCE ST
Really people? No one saw this coming?
It’s a terrible traffic area already!
Build first, deal with consequences later$$$!!!
Thank goodness for the new ramps for 146 access!!
Yes, including the three legislators now so concerned. Where were they all this time…..
Wow if only RIDE, which forced Woonsocket to do this project (RIDE would only give them money to build a new school, not rennovate existing), had done traffic studies before hand.
What a joke of a state.