Governor Donald L. Carcieri and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) are announcing the availability of $20.15 million for local roadway improvements through the Rhode Island Local Equity Aid Program or RI-LEAP. RI-LEAP is being funded by RIDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) so that resurfacing and sidewalk replacements can take place in all of the Ocean State’s 39 cities and towns.
“A minimum of $150,000 of state funds will be available to every city and town,” said Governor Carcieri. “Twenty-three communities are eligible to receive an additional $100,000 in state funds making their minimum improvement investment $250,000. This one-time opportunity will enable communities to make needed repairs to their local roads.”
Towns that can receive the $250,000 include: Barrington, Central Falls, Charlestown, Cumberland, East Greenwich, Exeter, Foster, Glocester, Hopkinton, Jamestown, Johnston, Lincoln, Little Compton, Narragansett, New Shoreham, North Providence, North Smithfield, Portsmouth, Richmond, Scituate, Tiverton, Warren, and West Greenwich. These towns are eligible because they have fewer than 15 miles of local roads on the federal highway system. These funds are flexible and can be spent on any local public road.
All of the other towns that have more than 15 miles on the federal highway system will receive the $150,000 plus additional federal funds based on a proportion of the additional mileage. These funds must follow all FHWA requirements including design, permitting, and construction, and can only be used the federal highway system.
The additional federal funds allotment (not including the state funds) breaks down as follows: Bristol ($458,038), Burrillville ($413,908), Coventry ($506,313), Cranston ($1,025,850), East Providence ($416,926), Middletown ($416,607), Newport ($677,523), North Kingstown ($1,042,361), Pawtucket ($972,266), Providence ($2,519,903), Smithfield ($383,350), South Kingstown ($757,704), Warwick ($929,550), Westerly ($358,321), West Warwick ($414,332), and Woonsocket ($707,047).
In total RI-LEAP puts $8.15 million toward 100 percent state funded local road improvements and another $12 million toward the improvement of locally owned roads on the federal highway system.
“Improving local infrastructure is just as important as improving the State system,” said RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis. “RI-LEAP will help put more people to work and improve the quality of life of residents throughout the State.”
RIDOT, in cooperation with the Rhode Island Public Works Association (RIPWA), will host a workshop in the next few weeks to move forward with this program.
“RIPWA is pleased to work with the State to host a public workshop that will enable our local public works directors the opportunity to learn more about this local aid program,” said RIPWA’s President Alan Brodd.
Contact: Dana Alexander Nolfe 401-222-1362 x4450