Rhode Island state and local officials said a recently completed $3.9 million roadway and pedestrian safety improvement project in Wakefield would aid one of the town’s busiest commercial corridors.
“The project is a beautiful addition to the Wakefield business district, and not only makes it safer for drivers, walkers, and bikers in this corridor but helps us make strides in meeting our obligations to reduce stormwater pollution from our roads,” Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) Director Peter Alviti, Jr. said.
The work involved resurfacing 0.5 miles of deteriorated roadway from the Route 1 interchange to the intersection with Route 108 while also addressing enhancements focusing on pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular safety.
The efforts included upgrading traffic signals, installing new curbing and wider, ADA-compliant sidewalks, adding crosswalks, and adding a bike lane in both directions. Median islands were added to bolster traffic flow control in and out of businesses in the corridor.
“With leadership from our Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee, South Kingstown has been putting a lot of thought into how to improve our road infrastructure in terms of both safety and environmental impact, and this project is a great example of those efforts,” South Kingstown Town Council President Abel Collins said. “It’s been wonderful to have RIDOT listen to the needs of the community and work with us to rebuild Tower Hill Road into a truly welcoming gateway for Wakefield’s business district.”