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Governor Carcieri steers federal aid toward local roads

3:31 PM Thu, Mar 26, 2009 |
Bruce Landis    Email

PROVIDENCE -- Governor Carcieri said Thursday that he is shifting $20 million to cities and towns to help them resurface roads and replace sidewalks.

The move followed complaints from local officials who have watched the state Department of Transportation receive $138 million for highway and bridge projects under the federal economic stimulus program. The local officials said that their roads, many of them disqualified for federal highway aid, were crumbling, too, and that they have no money to fix them.

Carcieri said that every city and town in the state will get at least $150,000 and that most of them will get $250,000.

"This one-time opportunity will enable communities to make needed repairs to their local roads," the governor said.

The DOT just started a project resurfacing and installing new sidewalks and curbing on Route 138 in Tiverton that will cost an estimated $2.5 million.

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Comments

RI Red said:

Good for Governor Carcieri. It is only fair that local cities and towns receive some of the federal funds to repair our decrepit roads. With every town facing significant financial challenges, it is good to see the Governor take this action.




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