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(Washington, D.C.)–Congressmen Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) and Jim Langevin (D-RI) today announced that federal money will be coming to Rhode Island to support a number of key transportation projects over the coming years. Overall the House passed a $286.5 billion federal transportation authorization bill yesterday, with $1.2 billion earmarked for Rhode Island from now through fiscal year 2009.
Kennedy and Langevin worked together to secure more than $5 million in transit funding thought fiscal year 2009 to improve the RIPTA bus fleet. The funding will help:
- Replace buses in the RIPTA fleet that have passed their useful life
- Purchase smaller vehicles that will provide flexibility in serving low density areas of the state
- Increase the number of buses in RIPTA’s fleet in reserve
Congressman Kennedy said, “It is always rewarding to bring home federal dollars to Rhode Island for critical projects that will help reinforce and strengthen the state’s infrastructure. It is imperative we continue to improve existing sites and design safer ways for Rhode Islanders to travel the state.”
Congressman Kennedy worked to help fund the following projects in the First Congressional District, totaling $13.6 million dollars:
- New Interchange constructed from I-195 to Taunton and Warren Avenue in East Providence-$4,640,000
- Construct a handicapped accessible trail and platform at Kettle Pond Visitor Center Administrative Facility-$160,000
- Restore and Expand Maritime Heritage Site in Bristol-$800,000
- Transportation Enhancements at Blackstone Valley Heritage Corridor-$400,000
- Replace the Sakonnet Bridge-$1,600,000
- Rehabilitation of Bridge Number 550 in Pawtucket-$4,400,000
- Replace I-195 Washington Bridge Eastbound-$1,600,000
Langevin worked to help fund the following projects in the Second Congressional District:
- $4.8 million to enhance the interchange between Route 4 and Interstate 95
- $4.1 million to expand the Elmwood Avenue Paratransit Maintenance Facility through FY 09 to centralize maintenance of RIPTA's paratransit fleet for the elderly and disabled.
“These projects will eventually benefit all Rhode Islanders, from drivers traveling to and from South County to those who rely on public transportation,” said Langevin. “I’d like to thank my colleague, Patrick Kennedy for helping to secure funding for these valuable projects.”
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