The Rhode Island Department of Transportation recently opened the application period for the Governor’s #RIReady Municipal Road Fund Program.
The program uses federal American Rescue Plan money to fund road, bridge, and sidewalk projects on locally maintained city and town roads.
Under the program, the state provides 33 percent of the project costs while cities and towns provide 67 percent.
The state will award $20 million. A total of $5 million will be divided equally among each city and town while $15 million will be distributed proportionally to municipalities based on miles of roads.
Cities and towns with more roads will be able to seek more funding.
The applications deadline Oct. 15. Quarterly reporting will be required, and projects must be completed by the end of 2026.
About 80 percent of roads statewide are maintained by cities and towns.
“Upgrading roadways and sidewalks across the state will increase safety, meet the growing infrastructure needs as the state looks to increase housing development, and support the growth of businesses,” Charles Lombardi North Providence mayor and president of the RI League of Cities and Towns, said “With the State’s commitment of $20 million dollars, we could see up to $60 million invested in local infrastructure by October 2026.”