East Providence Among First to Receive Road, Bridge Funding

General Treasurer Gina M. Raimondo today announced that the City of East Providence has received approval to use the newly-created Municipal Road and Bridge Revolving Fund (MRBRF). The Rhode Island Clean Water Finance Agency voted to approve $5.3 million in funding for five municipalities at their recent meeting. A total of seven municipalities are slated to receive a total of nearly $7 million in funding from the MRBRF over the coming year.

“As leaders, our top priority is getting our economy moving again,” said Raimondo. “This innovative and cost-saving alternative for cities and towns to finance their road and bridge improvements will create jobs and support an important economic cornerstone for our state.”

“The creation of the Municipal Road and Bridge Revolving Fund created a significant opportunity for the City of East Providence to address much needed, but delayed, capital infrastructure projects. My support of this funding resulted in over $1.2 million for four projects in the City of East Providence.” said Senator William Conley, Jr.

“Last year, by creating the Municipal Road and Bridge Revolving Fund, the General Assembly sent a clear signal that rebuilding our roads and bridges and putting people back to work was a top priority,” said Michael F. Sabitoni, President of the Rhode Island Building & Construction Trades Council.

The City of East Providence will use the funding for road and sidewalk improvements on the following locations: North Broadway; Forbes Street; Commercial Way; Crescent View Avenue.

The Municipal Road and Bridge Revolving Fund was created and passed as part of the 2013 legislative session, and was quickly implemented by the Rhode Island Clean Water Finance Agency and the Department of Transportation. The General Assembly budget appropriated $6.9 million to start the fund. The goal of the program is to take direct action on economic growth while improving Rhode Island’s locally-maintained roads and bridges.

In addition to East Providence, Newport, Burrillville, New Shoreham, Pawtucket, Westerly and Warwick will received funding for local road and bridge projects.