The state Department of Transportation is expected to open a new entrance from Dean Street northbound to the Route 6/10 Connector going toward downtown Providence, which will allow cars easy access to Route 95.

Frank Corrao, deputy chief engineer for the DOT, said a traffic island has been reconfigured and a dedicated left-turn lane has been added that will allow motorists going north on Dean Street in the Federal Hill area to enter the ramp which will take them to Route 10 north.

The ramp is not new, but access had previously been available only from Dean Street southbound.

Motorists taking the ramp from either direction can then connect to Route 95 north, Route 95 south or Memorial Boulevard via the Civic Center interchange just south of the Providence Place mall.

Corrao said the work is indirectly connected to the Route 195 relocation project. It’s part of a $1.3-million project, funded with federal money, to upgrade traffic signals at 27 intersections in Providence that were affected by the Route 195 construction.

Corrao said the DOT added the ramp entrance to allow motorists another option to leave the city and get onto Route 95. The DOT said the upgraded Dean Street intersection will help replace access to Route 95 south lost when the Broad Street ramp was closed in November 2008.

Corrao said it will also provide another way out of downtown for people at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center or the Rhode Island Convention Center.

Corrao said a temporary ramp to Route 95 south on Blackstone Street, off Allens Avenue, will remain.

asmith@projo.com