 During the late 1950s , a few years after the completion of the arterial , the Rhode Island Department of Public Works ( RIDPW ) proposed a relocation of Route 2 , which , at the time , was the major thoroughfare in the area . No action was taken until 1964 , when the RIDPW introduced a study for the " Relocated Route 2 " proposal . During the study , drivers who used the Colonel Rodman Highway arterial and were bound for the state capital of Providence were redirected onto Route 2 , an accident @-@ prone , four @-@ lane undivided highway near the modern exit 5 . In 1965 , the planned Route 2 freeway was given the new number of Route 4 , leaving Route 2 on its existing alignment . A public hearing was held by the state of Rhode Island on the proposed freeway , which was to be four lanes and have a divided , grassy median . This proposal was later accepted , and construction began two years later . 
 During the late 1950s , a few years after the completion of the arterial , the Rhode Island Department of Public Works ( RIDPW ) proposed a relocation of Route 2 , which , at the time , was the major thoroughfare in the area . No action was taken until 1964 , when the RIDPW introduced a study for the " Relocated Route 2 " proposal . During the study , drivers <a href='null_relcl' title='1'><mark>who</mark></a>used the Colonel Rodman Highway arterial and <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>were</mark></a> bound for the state capital of Providence <a href='uninflect' title='3'><mark>were</mark></a> redirected onto Route 2 , an accident @-@ prone , four @-@ lane undivided highway near the modern exit 5 . In 1965 , the planned Route 2 freeway was given the new number of Route 4 , leaving Route 2 on its existing alignment . A public hearing was held by the state of Rhode Island on the proposed freeway , which was to be four lanes and <a href='got' title='4'><mark>have</mark></a> a divided , grassy median . This proposal was later accepted , and construction began two years later . 
Durin da late 1950s , a few years after tdacompletion of the arterial , thdahode Island Department of Public Works ( RIDPW ) proposed a relocation of Route 2 , which , at the time , was the major thoroughfare in the area . No action was taken until 1964 , when the RIDPW introduced a study for thedaRelocated Route 2 " proposal . Ddurinthe study , drivers used the daonel Rodman Highway arterial and was bound for the sdae capital of Providence was redirected onto Route 2 , an accident @-@ prone , four @-@ lane undivided highway near the modern exit 5 . In 1965 , the planned Route 2 freeway was given the new number of Route 4 , leavin Route 2 on its existing alignment . A public hearing was held by the state of Rhode Island on the proposed freeway , which was to b 4 lanes and got a divided , grassy median . This proposal was later accepted , and construction began two years later .