Commercial Way is one of the streets to be repaved through money derived from the new state-sponsored Road and Bridge Fund.
The Rhode Island Clean Water Finance Agency voted to approve $5.3 million in funding for five municipalities at its recent meeting.
East Providence will use the funding for road and sidewalk improvements on the following locations: North Broadway; Forbes Street; Commercial Way; Crescent View Avenue.
“As leaders, our top priority is getting our economy moving again,” said General Treasurer Gina Raimondo, whose office oversees the fund. “This innovative and cost-saving alternative for cities and towns to finance their road and bridge improvements will create jobs and support an important economic cornerstone for our state.”
“The creation of the Municipal Road and Bridge Revolving Fund created a significant opportunity for the City of East Providence to address much needed, but delayed, capital infrastructure projects. My support of this funding resulted in over $1.2 million for four projects in the City of East Providence.” said State Senator William Conley Jr. (D-Dist. 18, East Providence, Pawtucket).
“Last year, by creating the Municipal Road and Bridge Revolving Fund, the General Assembly sent a clear signal that rebuilding our roads and bridges and putting people back to work was a top priority, “said Michael F. Sabitoni, President of the Rhode Island Building & Construction Trades Council.
After hearing from Acting City Manager Paul Lemont on the topic, the East Providence City Council also recently granted its approval to procure funding for the projects through the fund.
The Municipal Road and Bridge Revolving Fund was created and passed as part of the 2013 legislative session, and was quickly implemented by the Rhode Island Clean Water Finance Agency and the Department of Transportation. The General Assembly budget appropriated $6.9 million to start the fund. The goal of the program is to take direct action on economic growth while improving Rhode Island’s locally-maintained roads and bridges.
In addition to East Providence, Newport, Burrillville, New Shoreham, Pawtucket, Westerly and Warwick will received funding for local road and bridge projects.