United States Ridot Tender

The addition of 20 million in federal grant money secured by Senator Jack Reed will enable the Rhode Island Department of Transportation RIDOT to accelerate work associated with the Pell Bridge Ramp Project - including adding more roadwork connecting to this important interchange and gateway to Newport.RIDOT is able to include a reconstruction of segments of J.T. Connell Highway in Newport and Coddington Highway in Newport and Middletown which together serve as one of the main thoroughfares through Newports North End and gateway to downtown Newport and the Naval Station Newport. Previously this roadway was scheduled for reconstruction as part of a separate future project. The entire project is estimated to cost 66.1 million.The new grant funds also will allow more work to begin sooner on the project including the installation of a new traffic signal at the intersection of Admiral Kalbfus Road Girard Avenue and Malbone Road and an upgraded traffic signal at the intersection of Admiral Kalbfus Road and 3rd Street. Work on these two intersections can now be completed prior to the larger Pell Bridge Ramp reconfiguration and improve safety and aid traffic movements through this area during construction.This federal grant will make a big impact on our efforts to increase the safety and efficiency of the Pell Bridge while opening up land for development. By reconfiguring the Pell ramps we are creating space for new investment in science technology and innovation said Governor Gina Raimondo. I want to thank our Congressional Delegation for their hard work in helping acquire this funding.We thank Senator Reed and the entire Rhode Island Congressional delegation U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao and U.S. DOT for their efforts in providing additional funds for this project RIDOT Director Peter Alviti Jr. said. It will allow us to do more work and do it faster and provide an improved roadway network for both Newports North End gateway and Pell Bridge gateway.The Pell Bridge Ramps Project will reconfigure the Pell Bridge ramps to provide quicker access to Newport town center and to relieve traffic backups on the bridge. It also proposes a complete removal of the viaduct infrastructure over Admiral Kalbfus Road which will free up significant acreage of land for economic development in Newport.