Report: RI needs $2.8B to repair roads, bridges

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island must spend an additional 1.3 billion dollars during a recession and budget crisis to maintain its roads, bridges and highways over the next six years.

 

That's according to a study released today by The Road Information Program in Washington.

The study says Rhode Island now needs to repair 231 miles of roadway and fix or replace 164 bridges. Unless funding increases,

the state will have to repair 300 miles of roadway and 180 bridges by 2013.

That's unwelcome news for state leaders. They cut the state budget last year and are expecting a deficit in the coming year.

Department of Transportation Director Michael Lewis says he agrees that the state must invest more in its infrastructure. He says there's no easy way to raise the funding.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)