ROADS/BRIDGES: RIDOT receives approval for 10-year transportation plan

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration have approved the Rhode Island Department of Transportation’s (RIDOT) 10-year transportation plan. This is the first time these agencies have approved such a plan for the state and the third time for any state in the country.

The plan, which RIDOT says is “the backbone” of its RhodeWorks program, is incorporated into its State Transportation Improvement Plan. The agency reports the plan provides the structure to help it carry out $4 billion in road and bridge improvements.

This plan is designed to bring 90% of Rhode Island’s bridges to “sufficiency” seven years sooner than previously planned, saving the agency $950 million in the process. The plan also includes tolling revenue from a tractor-trailer only tolling effort the FHWA recently approved.

RIDOT included in the plan scheduled funding for repair work on 175 structurally deficient bridges and preservation work on 500 bridges. Also included is $400 million in funding for the Routes 6/10 interchange project, $80 million in additional funding for transit projects, $30 million in additional funding for highway improvements, $37 million in additional funding for bike and pedestrian upgrades, $212 million for traffic safety improvements and $112 million for maintenance and repair of drainage structures.