The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) recently announced a plan to expedite more than 100 infrastructure projects valued at $2.1 billion.
The increased timeline is the funding from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
RIDOT will receive an additional $576 million of federal funds over five years. The agency will use the funding to accelerate its 10-year plan and begin construction of the 100 projects on average of four years sooner than planned.
Matching state funds also will be used.
The list includes 87 projects that will enhance stormwater quality, 86 projects that make roads and walkways safer, 63 projects that include pedestrian walkway features, and 22 projects with bike-path infrastructure improvements.
The focus is on improving mobility and access, reducing carbon emissions, increasing system resilience, rehabilitating bridges in critical need of repair, and removing barriers to connecting communities.
“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.”
This marks the first time RIDOT will expedite more environmentally friendly and equitable projects than traditional planning.