Rhode Island Route 108

Infobox RI Route
type=RI
route=108
length_mi=8.6
length_round=2
length_ref=cite map|publisher=Google Maps|url=http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&rlz=1T4ADBF_enUS232US232&q=from:+Kingstown+Rd/RI-108+%4041.480048,+-71.520856+to:+Point+Judith+Rd/RI-108+%4041.432166,+-71.481882+to:Point+Judith+Rd/RI-108+%4041.373110,+-71.485620&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=il|title=Overview Map of RI Route 108|accessdate=2008-01-17]
formed=1934
dir1=South
dir2=North|from=Ocean Road in Narragansett
junction= in Narragansett
to=
previous_type=
previous_route=107
next_type=
next_route=110

Route 108 is state route in Narragansett and South Kingstown. The route stretches for 8.6 miles (13.8 kilometres), beginning at Ocean Road in Point Judith to Route 138 in Kingston. The road intersects with US 1 in Wakefield. Major attractions along Route 108 include Point Judith Light, Harbour Island and the University of Rhode Island (just east of the northern terminus).

In 1934, Route 108 was switched onto its current route from its original one, which stretched from Providence to Woonsocket.

Route description

Route 108 begins just north of Point Judith Light at Ocean Road in the town of Narragansett. Route 108 heads westward as Point Judith Road, turning to the north shortly after starting. Route 108 passes the village of Galilee as it continues, passing local roads and the Point Judith Country Club. Route 108 enters downtown Narragansett and intersects with Route 1A and U.S. Route 1 at a roundabout at 4.3 miles (6.9 kilometres).

Route 108 then enters the town of South Kingstown and passes the Indian Run Reservoir. After weaving and twisting around Wakefield and Peace Dale, Route 108 comes to an end at Route 138 in Kingston.

History

Before 1934, Route 108 followed present-day Route 246 and Route 146A from Providence to Woonsocket, then along Park Avenue to end at Route 122. The current Route 108 south of Wakefield was unnumbered at the time. North of Wakefield, current Route 108 was part of 1920s Route 107

Until the summer of 2004, Route 108 turned off Kingstown Road (the State-maintained route) in Peace Dale, following Kersey Road and North Road and bypassing the Peace Dale Rotary. However, most maps showed Route 108 staying on Kingstown Road. However, new signage was installed in 2004 that puts Route 108 on Kingstown Road through Peace Dale. The routing on Kersey and North Roads may have been done to avoid low clearances where the Narragansett Pier Railroad used to cross over Kingstown Road twice. Those overpasses have been torn down, and a bike path now crosses Route 108 twice within a quarter mile.

Major intersections

Jctint
state=RI
county=Washington
cspan=3
mile=0.00
road=Ocean Road
location=Narragansett
lspan=2
notes=Southern terminus of Route 108.Jctint
mile=4.3
road=Jctint
state=RI
location=South Kingstown
mile=8.6
road=
notes=Northern terminus of Route 108.

References