Q. My question is what is the eventual plan for the off-ramp from Route 95 N/Route 37 onto Jefferson Boulevard? During the morning commute, that entire area has been congested, with cars from the closely built on-ramps crossing over those waiting to exit. Further, with Jefferson Boulevard’s growing number of businesses, those exiting are now often backed up. I was thrilled to finally see that signals were being installed to control the traffic onto Jefferson, but they’ve been in “blink mode” for a long time.

A. We agree that using this exit can be challenging at times. Currently, motorists exiting from I-95 North, Route 37 East, and Route 37 West all eventually merge together before choosing between exiting onto Jefferson Boulevard and continuing onto Route 95 North. Traffic trying to enter onto Jefferson Boulevard can also back up onto the exit. This creates a difficult weaving area for traffic exiting Route 37 West for those wanting to continue onto Route 95 North rather than exiting onto Jefferson Boulevard.

A traffic signal was recently installed at the bottom of the Jefferson Boulevard off-ramp to control the traffic entering the roadway. This signal should help to minimize the traffic back-up on the off-ramp as well as make it easier for motorists exiting Route 37 West who would like to get into the left lane on the exit ramp to continue onto Route 95 North.

As you note, however, this signal is currently in flash. The signal is still operating this way because our engineers noticed a sight distance issue for motorists traveling south on Jefferson Boulevard approaching the signal. The overpass for I-95 limits the line of sight for this signal. Therefore, motorists may not be able to see the signal in time to react to the color indication.

To help mitigate this issue, the department is going to install a sign on the overpass facing southbound motorists coming from Route 95 South and Ford Lane/O’Keefe Lane. The sign will say “Signal Ahead” and have an LED flasher light that will turn red when the signal is red. When the signal is green or yellow, the flasher will not be on, and the sign will simply say “Signal Ahead.” The sign has been ordered and once it is delivered it will be installed and both the sign and the signal will be fully operational.

Sidewalk maintenance

Q. Several weeks ago I called RIDOT to discuss a sidewalk in poor condition on Route 114 by the entrance to Colt State Park. I was notified that it was a local problem, but after calling the local authorities, I was told it was a state problem. There are quite a few elderly living at the senior complex that use that sidewalk to go to the market up the road, I being one of them. What can you do to assist us?

A. There is a project in design to install new sidewalks in this area; however, it will be a while before it goes out to construction. With that said, towns are responsible for sidewalk maintenance. Some towns even have their own laws that require homeowners to maintain their sidewalks. Typically, RIDOT is only responsible for an annual sweeping.

Dana Alexander Nolfe, chief public affairs officer for the state Department of Transportation, has agreed to answer questions of general interest posed by Journal readers about state roads and other state transportation matters.

The DOT is responsible for the state’s transportation infrastructure, which includes highways, bridges, traffic signals and bikeways.

To ask a question that would also be of interest to other readers, send a letter to Ask RIDOT, Features Department, The Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI 02902. You can also e-mail your question to projocars@projo.com. Please put “Question for the DOT” in the subject field.

Questions or complaints of a specific nature should be posed to the DOT directly and will not be answered in this column.