Governor McKee rolls out repair plan for over 100 roads and bridges using Federal Infrastructure Funds

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Governor Dan McKee, alongside Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) Director Peter Alviti, has announced over 100 bridge and road repairs valued at $2.1 Billion, all funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This investment focuses on bridges in critical condition, the reduction of carbon emissions, increasing accessibility for enhanced connection, and economic opportunity.

“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,” said Governor McKee. “Rhode Island is ready to put these dollars to work and the good news is – we have a plan to do it quickly.”

“Over the past few years, Rhode Island has consistently ranked near the top for having some of the country’s worst road and bridge infrastructure,” said Lt. Governor Sabina Matos. “Furthermore, an overwhelming majority of this infrastructure caters to an overdependency on car usage that not only harms our environment but also, that not everyone can afford. These significant investments not only promote green infrastructure, but also begin to address local inequities regarding environmental justice. We are proud to put Rhode Islanders to work and even prouder to rebrand Rhode Island as the region’s leader in green, modern infrastructure that puts people first.”

RIDOT has plans to put guidelines in place for safer, cleaner, greener projects in Rhode Island. Twenty-two of the projects feature repairs to bike path infrastructure, 63 for pedestrian walkway infrastructure, 87 for storm-water quality, and 86 more for safe roads and walkways.

“With these new funds, we are renewing and strengthening our commitment to improve not only the condition of our infrastructure, but also the resiliency,” RIDOT Director Peter Alviti said. “And we will enhance our commitment to alternate 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.”
With the infrastructure act, RIDOT will receive an extra $576 million in funding over a period of five years to help with the process of repairing and enhancing Rhode Island. RIDOT foresees this shortening its ten-year-plan by an average of four years. For more information on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, visit the RIDOT website here.