1st RI stimulus road project to start

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - With the contract signed, the first road project funded with federal stimulus dollars could get underway in the next few weeks.

During a ceremony at the State House Thursday afternoon, Governor. Donald Carcieri and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation signed a $2.4 million contract with D'Ambra Construction Company, Inc.

The Warwick company will resurface Route 138 in Tiverton. Ground-breaking for the project is expected to take place in the next few weeks.

The work will stretch from John St. to the Massachusetts state line, and will include curbing, sidewalks, and drainage and guardrail improvements.

“Putting people to Rhode Islanders back to work and improving our roads and bridges are just two of the benefits the ARRA funding brings to the state,” said Governor Carcieri. “Awarding and signing construction contracts take the first steps towards purchasing the goods and services that will help turn this economy around.”

It is estimated that a total of 1,500 direct jobs and 3,500 indirect jobs will be created from the entire RIDOT stimulus plan. Approximately 32 direct jobs are expected to be created from just this one stimulus project.

“Under the [American Recovery and Reinvestment Act], RIDOT will receive $138 million in direct funding supporting 50 infrastructure projects,” said RIDOT’s Director Michael P. Lewis. “While we highlight this Tiverton project as being the first one, nearly every other Rhode Island city or town will soon see a stimulus project.”

Lewis said RIDOT has already authorized 23 projects worth $41.9 million.

(Click here for a complete list of projects.)

The Rhode Island stimulus package will also include two bridge cleaning contracts that will wash 130 of Rhode Island’s 772 bridges; apply lane striping on State roads and highways in 20 communities in Northern Rhode Island, Providence, East Bay, and Aquidneck Island communities; and resurface approximately 45 miles of State roads and highways, including 7.6 miles of I-95 in southern Rhode Island.