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.

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. On March 25, 2024, RIPTA began tunnel renovations which included new drainage, improved lighting, structural repairs and the renovation of the 110 year old bus shelter to its original splendor.

RIPTA riders deserve comfortable, safe, and accessible amenities while waiting for the bus. In this project, RIPTA created 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 was completed by the end of October 2024. The tunnel reopened to bus service on October 31, 2024. The construction addressed issues inside the tunnel such as drainage, lighting, and patching cracks in the walls and ceiling. The project also included the restoration of the shelter on North Main Street, honoring the historic nature of the Tunnel.

The next phase of the project, scheduled for Spring 2026, will address bus stop improvements on Thayer Street.  

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