RIDOT kicks off 2021 construction season of $1.4 billion in projects
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Governor Dan McKee, Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) Director Peter Alviti and members of Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation joined together Monday afternoon underneath the state’s busiest highways to announce the start of the 2021 construction season.
RIDOT currently has 34 construction projects underway, including the repairs of 129 bridges. By the end of 2021, the department plans to have 50 projects underway, including the repairs of 146 bridges. The projects have a $1.4 billion price tag.
One of the largest projects on this year’s to-do list is the $265 million Providence Viaduct Northbound project. According to RIDOT, it will replace the 1,300-foot bridge that carries more than 220,000 vehicles a day. The project will also rebuild 10 bridges and correct inefficiencies, congestion and safety issues along this part of I-95. The project is funded mostly by a $60.3 million INFRA grant secured by Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation.
“Today we’re kicking off a construction season that will result in 1.4 billion dollars of investment in Rhode Island’s infrastructure. As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, this investment is more important than ever. These projects will not only create good-paying construction jobs but also save updated and resilient infrastructure for our residents and our businesses,” said Governor McKee.
In addition to the Providence Viaduct Northbound project, highlights of the 2021 construction season include:
Route 6/10 Interchange: In its third full year of construction, the $410 million project, finishing in the fall of 2023, will address 11 bridges in total, replacing seven structurally deficient bridges. The project also features the construction of the critical “missing move” to connect Route 10 North to Route 6 West. RIDOT said that piece may open by the end of 2021.
Henderson Bridge: Demolition is underway on the westbound lanes on this $84.4 million project. By replacing this bridge which spans the Seekonk River from East Providence to Providence, RIDOT will reduce its statewide structurally deficient bridge area by 12 percent. The Henderson Bridge and Henderson Expressway were overbuilt as they were originally constructed as part of an unfinished highway. When finished in summer 2025, the bridge will feature two westbound lanes and one eastbound lane, as well as 2,500 feet of separated bike/pedestrian path infrastructure. The smaller footprint will require less maintenance and will free up almost 33 acres for potential development and recreational use.
Washington Bridge: RIDOT expects to select a design-build team for a $70 million project to rehabilitate the portion of the Washington Bridge that carries I-195 West traffic from East Providence to Providence over the Seekonk River. In addition to rehabilitating the bridge, the base technical concept includes an additional through lane to better accommodate mainline highway traffic and the high volume of traffic entering the highway from Veterans Memorial Parkway, Warren Avenue and Taunton Avenue ramps. A new exit ramp in East Providence will provide a direct connection to Waterfront Drive, a major area for future economic development on the East Providence waterfront, and an additional safe and convenient way for commuters to access the East Side of Providence. The existing Gano Street off-ramp will be retained. Pre-construction activities should begin this summer and the project will take four years.
Route 37 bridges: Work is underway on 15 bridges on Route 37 from Post Road in Warwick to the Pontiac Avenue interchange. The project will make improvements to ease congestion and improve safety at the Pontiac Avenue interchange ($58.9 million).
Pawtucket/Central Falls Train Station and Bus Hub: Construction is underway on the $58 million project and trains are expected to start service in summer 2022 with an estimated 520 daily boardings, attracting ridership from Rhode Island and nearby South Attleboro where the MBTA recently closed one of its stations.
In addition to road and bridge improvements, RIDOT is also putting money into transit. There are grants for new bus hubs at CCRI and URI, new electric busses, $12.5 million will go towards renovating the Providence Rail Station, and the department plans to invest in ferry ports and shipyards.
© WLNE-TV 2021
