Rhode Island Department of Transportation headquarters in Providence. RIDOT plans to expedite certain projects using federal infrastructure funds, and is promising a cleaner, greener approach to transportation planning.
Recently Gov. Dan McKee announced that from roads, to bridge improvements to pedestrian walkways, Rhode Island officials plan to accelerate more than 100 transportation projects with funding provided through the federal infrastructure law. While the list is heavy on actual bridge and roadway repair, the biggest-ticket item allocates $222.5 million for bridge inspection, ratings, permits, and database management statewide.
Bike path resurfacing and preservation is in line for $26 million. On the pothole front, an “immediate action pavement” item is funded at $40.22 million.According to the list Phase II of the $40 million Henderson Bridge project, originally slated to start in 2026, is now scheduled for 2024. Improvements to Putnam Pike through Glocester set for 2029 and 2031 will now begin this year. Work on Post Road in South County, initially scheduled for 2025 and 2028, has been moved up to 2022.
The projects to be fast-tracked are worth $2.1 billion combined, said McKee. RIDOT is poised to receive an additional $576 million in infrastructure funds over a five-year period under the federal legislation. Matching state monies will also help accelerate improvements that appear on the agency’s ten-year plan.
RIDOT is poised to receive an additional $576 million in infrastructure funds over a five-year period under the federal legislation.
In statement McKee said “Thanks to the hard work of our Congressional delegation that made sure Rhode Island got our fair share in Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, we are able to speed up 100 road and bridge projects across Rhode Island – putting tradesmen and women to work creating safer roads, safer bridges, and more bike paths. Rhode Island is ready to put these dollars to work and the good news is – we have a plan to do it quickly.†Additionally, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation has adopted new guiding principals to prioritize projects that are greener, cleaner, safer and more equitable, the governor’s office said.
RIDOT director Peter Alviti promised a new emphasis on climate resiliency and support for “alternative modes of transportation and carbon reduction initiatives.†“We are going to be more mindful of our effect on the environment and do our best to reduce emissions wherever and whenever we can,†Alviti said.
“We are going to be more mindful of our effect on the environment and do our best to reduce emissions wherever and whenever we can,†Alviti said.