New sidewalks and a smooth driving surface have arrived for residents and businesses along a stretch of Smith Street (Route 44) in Providence, as officials gathered this morning to celebrate the latest achievement delivered on time and on budget under Governor Gina M. Raimondo's RhodeWorks program.
"As RhodeWorks fixes our roads and bridges, it fulfills the promises of improving our main streets and creating jobs," Governor Raimondo said. "It's vitally important we support commercial corridors like Smith Street with well-maintained roads and sidewalks that those who live here, and those who make their living here, deserve."
"We are pleased to deliver this project for the citizens, businesses owners and visitors to Smith Street," Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) Director Peter Alviti, Jr. said. "We are committed to completing the projects in our RhodeWorks program on time and on budget."
Work on the $4.2 million Smith Street Improvement Project began in April, addressing 1.6 miles of the roadway from Academy Avenue to Holden Street. In addition to resurfacing, RIDOT also installed new sidewalks, brought existing sidewalks into Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, made minor drainage improvements, and modified three existing traffic signals, adding improved pedestrian crossing features. The project also will include new street trees, to be installed this coming spring.
At this morning's ribbon cutting event, Director Alviti was joined by Senator Maryellen Goodwin.
The Smith Street improvement project is made possible by RhodeWorks, RIDOT's ongoing commitment to repair structurally deficient bridges and bring Rhode Island's transportation infrastructure into a state of good repair, promote economic development, and create jobs. Learn more at www.ridot.net/RhodeWorks