Rhode Island Route 51

Route 51
Route information
Length:	5.4 mi (8.7 km)
Major junctions
South end:	Route 115 in West Warwick
North end:	Route 12 in Cranston
Highway system
Rhode Island Routes ← US 44 Route 77 →

Route 51 is a numbered state highway in the U.S. state of Rhode Island.

Route

Route 51 takes the following route through the State:

• West Warwick: 0.8 miles (1.3 km); Route 115 to Cranston city line
  • Phenix Avenue
• Cranston: 4.5 miles (7.2 km); West Warwick town line to Route 12
  • Phenix Avenue

Notes

Route 51 is the only Rhode Island State Highway that does not have any State-maintained sections. Also, many maps do not show the correct route for Route 51. Generally, maps which show Route 51 at all show it starting at Route 37 on Natick Avenue, then heading along Natick Avenue and Phenix Avenue, ending at Route 12. This route is incorrect according to RIDOT whose pavement management log shows Route 51 taking the route shown above in the "Route" section; it comes close to Route 37 but does not intersect it. Please see: Scan of Route 51 from the RIDOT Pavement Log (PDF)

Also of note is that there is no Route 51 signage on Route 51 itself, though there are two blank sign posts that may have carried Route 51 shields at some point, and on Interstate 295, signage for exit 3B clearly stated RI 51. Those signs were all replaced in 2008 and the new signs show only RI 37, all reference to RI 51 on I-295 has been removed. According to RIDOT, the towns through which Route 51 runs requested that the signs be removed to give them time to prepare for the increase in traffic brought by a numbered route. There are also some trailblazer assemblies along Route 5 and Route 12.