The U.S. Department of Transportation recently awarded Rhode Island a $60.3 million federal Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant.
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will use the funding to replace or upgrade the eleven bridges comprising the Northbound Providence Viaduct.
The 1,300-foot-long viaduct was built in 1964 and is one of the busiest sections of I-95 in New England. It carries approximately 220,000 vehicles daily above the Northeast Corridor, the Woonasquatucket River, and local roadways.
The southbound bridges were completed in 2017, but the northbound bridges are structurally deficient, and RIDOT has made emergency repairs in the past several years.
“The Providence Viaduct is a critical transportation artery for our state, and this federal grant will ensure it can safely accommodate the thousands of Rhode Islanders who depend on it,” Rep. James Langevin (D-RI) said. “I am thrilled my delegation colleagues and I were able to secure this funding, and I thank Senator Whitehouse for designing the INFRA Program, so large-scale Rhode Island infrastructure projects are strong candidates for funding.”
Construction is scheduled to begin in 2020 and have an anticipated to last 100 years.
Plans for the viaduct include reconfiguration of ramps, adding lanes and better separation of between vehicles entering and exiting the highway and other traffic.