Proposal for new welcome center gets $9M federal grant
By The Associated Press
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) _ A proposal to build a new welcome center at Rhode Island’s border with Connecticut has received a $9 million federal grant.
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation has proposed building the welcome center and travel plaza at Exit 1 on Interstate 95 in Hopkinton.
It would provide tourist information, restrooms, gas and food, and would also serve as a park and ride facility and bus hub.
The project is estimated to cost $12 million and would still need to receive go-aheads from state and local governments.
Sen. Jack Reed says it would be an opportunity to build a state-of-the-art facility that helps showcase to travelers what Rhode Island has to offer.
Gov. Gina Raimondo says it would be an important feature of a push to improve the state’s tourism marketing.
© The Associated Press / WLNE-TV 2015
