RIDOT gets approval for 8 new projects

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Eight new projects have been added to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation's economic recovery program, thanks to lower than expected estimated costs.

According to authorities, the projects involve bridge rehabilitation, resurfacing, sidewalk reconstruction and drainage improvements, costing roughly $12.4 million dollars. RIDOT hopes to have the project underway by spring and summer.

Before the addition, there were 54 projects, all being funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The RIDOT received $137 million dollars from the program. So far, 44 of the projects are currently under construction.

“With bids coming in lower than our estimates, it became clear through the course of last year that the Department would be able to expand the number of projects funded by the ARRA program,” RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis said.

“We are pleased to be able to stretch our stimulus dollars further.”

RIDOT additional projects include:

Foster

• Rehabilitation and resurfacing of Moosup Valley Road from 0.9 miles west of Route 14/Plainfield Pike to Cucumber Hill Road (1.4 miles, $800,000).
• Rehabilitation and resurfacing of Route 14/Route 102 from Briggs Road to Old Plainfield Pike (1.2 miles, $800,000).

Glocester

• Replacement of the Chestnut Hill Road Bridge, which carries Chestnut Hill Road over the spillway that flows from the Sayles and Smith Reservoir to the Chepachet River. The project includes construction of a replacement spillway structure and wetland restoration ($1.5 million).

South Kingstown

• Kingston Station Interlocking Tower Relocation, which involves the dismantling, relocation and reassembly of a historic train signal tower at Kingston Station in the village of West Kingston ($300,000).

Statewide Drainage Improvements: East Greenwich, Providence, Scituate and Tiverton

• Various drainage improvements in the following communities: East Greenwich (First Avenue at Division Street), Providence (North Main Street), Scituate (Danielson Pike), and Tiverton (East Road & Crandall Road) ($300,000).

Warren

• Installation of new curbing, sidewalks, minor drainage improvements and street tree preservation and replacement on Main Street (Route 114) from Cherry Street to 160 feet south of Beach Street (0.3 miles, $700,000).

Westerly

• Resurfacing of Route 91/Westerly Bradford Road/Bradford Road, including curbing, sidewalks, guardrail, minor drainage improvements from Westerly Maintenance Facility to Bradford Railroad Bridge/800 feet north of Church Street (3.8 miles, $3 million).

Woonsocket, Cumberland and Lincoln

• Resurfacing of Route 99/Woonsocket Industrial Highway, including curbing replacement, minor drainage rehabilitation, new signs and structures, guardrail replacement and minor bridge work from Route 146 to Route 122/Mendon Road (3.75 miles, $5 million).