Department of Transportation director says amount of rainfall ‘exceeded capacity of drainage system’

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti said the intense rainfall was the main culprit of flooding that shut down to major thruways Monday.

During a virtual news conference Monday evening, Alviti said the rainfall exceeded the capacity of the drainage system on Interstate 95 and at the 6/10 connector.

Alviti said Department of Transportation crews were out Sunday clearing debris in and around storm drains.

He said crews found no blockages in the drainage system on I-95. He did say construction along 6/10 “exacerbated” the flooding issues there.

The director said more rainfall is projected into Tuesday and crews will remain available throughout the duration of the storm.

Also at the news conference, Gov. Dan McKee urged drivers to avoid any unnecessary travel.

Interstate 95 in both directions by Thurbers Avenue was closed for flooding for roughly three hours. The 6/10 connector faced similar length delays as well.

As of 6:30 p.m., both had reopened.