Police Shut Down I-95 Northbound in Pawtucket

Authorities closed the highway near Exit 40 late Saturday night following a major incident.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Accidents

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of an empty highway overpass silhouette, evoking the gravity of a formal investigation. — Pawtucket police closed I-95 northbound near Exit 40 late Saturday night following a major incident that remains under official investigation. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Police in Pawtucket shut down I-95 northbound near Exit 40 on September 27, 2026, causing significant traffic delays. Officials maintained a heavy presence on the scene as the medical examiner arrived to conduct an investigation.

Why it matters

The closure disrupted a major regional thoroughfare during late-night hours, forcing motorists to seek alternative routes. Authorities have not yet disclosed the specific cause of the incident.

Officials confirmed that 2 vehicles were towed from the site of the closure. The investigation remains active with a medical examiner on-site, and further details are currently pending.

The players

Pawtucket Police Department

This agency is the primary law enforcement body responsible for managing traffic and investigating incidents within Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

The details

Authorities established a heavy police presence on I-95 northbound, effectively blocking traffic near Exit 40. The arrival of the medical examiner signaled the severity of the incident that occurred late Saturday night.

September 27, 2026: Police shut down I-95 northbound.
September 27, 2026, 10:00 p.m.: Significant traffic backups occurred.
September 28, 2026: Police are scheduled to release more information.

Legal Context

This traffic shutdown reflects standard emergency management procedures established under the 2024 I-95 bridge collapse incident protocols. These measures are designed to preserve evidence during active investigations on high-volume interstate corridors.

Motorists who regularly commute through the Pawtucket area should anticipate potential delays and check for lingering traffic alerts. Residents are advised to avoid the Exit 40 interchange while investigators finalize their work at the scene.

The takeaway

Drivers should always consult local traffic reporting tools when emergency closures occur to navigate around active incident scenes. Staying informed of municipal police updates is essential for commuters navigating major corridors like I-95.