Governor McKee Highlights $6.5 Million for Local Road and Bridge Improvements through RhodeRestore
RhodeRestore Now Permanent Program
SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI – Governor Dan McKee today highlighted $6.5 million in grant funding to support crucial local road and bridge improvements through RhodeRestore, the Governor’s signature municipal grant program aimed at helping local communities complete much-needed road and bridge projects. The event also marked the successful passage of the Governor’s budget proposal to make RhodeRestore a permanent program, securing long-term support for local road and bridge improvements across all 39 cities and towns.
“As a former mayor, I’m proud to have created and made Rhode Island’s first dedicated matching program permanent to help cities and towns repair their local roads and bridges,” said Governor Dan McKee. “With more than 12,600 lane miles of roadway in our state—and nearly 80 percent maintained by municipalities—it’s critical we give our local leaders the tools they need to get these projects done.”
The event took place at the corner of Old North Road and Flagg Road, on the edge of the University of Rhode Island’s (URI) Kingston campus. Old North Road, a key connector for both the town and the URI community, was badly deteriorated. It links several campus access roads and connects Kingston Village to the Slocum area in Exeter. Thanks to RhodeRestore, the town secured $850,000 to repave Old North Road. The first half of this 3-mile stretch was done last year, from Kingstown Road to Flagg Road. This summer, the remaining section—from Flagg Road to Stony Fort Road—will be completed.
To date, the total value of all Rhode Restore projects in South Kingstown is $2.3 million. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) estimates the new funding highlighted today will make possible another $540,000 in improvements for South Kingstown.
The Governor was joined at the event by Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, Senator V. Susan Sosnowski, South Kingstown Town Manager James Manni, RIDOT Director Peter Alviti, Jr., URI Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Ellen Reynolds, and other state legislators and municipal leaders.
How it Works:
Cities and towns contribute 67 percent of the funds, and the State funds the remaining 33 percent as a project “match.” For the new $6.5 million in funding highlighted today, the first 25 percent will be distributed equally, with each municipality eligible for approximately $41,600. The remaining $4.9 million will be distributed proportionately based on each municipality’s share of non-federally eligible lane miles. The application process for the next round of funding will open next week, with RIDOT rapidly approving projects on a rolling basis.
RhodeRestore Success Stats:
Since launching the program in 2023, the McKee Administration has delivered $33.5 million in state funding as a match for local funding to make these projects possible. In just the first two years of the program, the combined state and local investment is nearly $110 million, representing:
1,100 projects across all 39 cities and towns
Over 690 lane miles of road repaired
Over 69,000 linear feet of sidewalks and two bridges repaired
The inclusion of additional funding this year will yield many more projects and an additional $20 million in total local road investments.
The public can track the progress of RhodeRestore online at www.ridot.net/RhodeRestore. The site also includes an interactive dashboard that reports the number of approved projects and their dollar value by community.
Statements of Support:
“I was proud to support funding for Rhode Island’s Municipal Roads Grant Program and making it permanent, because it is more than just an investment in infrastructure: it’s a commitment to supporting our communities and our economy,” said House Speaker Shekarchi. “Better roads mean easier commutes, safer travel, and improved access for the small businesses that are the backbone of our local economy. All of our 39 cities and towns benefit greatly from this program.”
“RhodeRestore is an outstanding example of what we can accomplish through partnership between the local and state levels. At a time when municipal resources are stretched thin, this program addresses a serious quality of life issue and helps ensure that critical roadway infrastructure gets the attention it needs. I am grateful for the support this program continues to provide for essential roadway improvements in South Kingstown and communities across Rhode Island,” said Senator Sosnowski.
“RhodeRestore has accelerated our road improvement program in South Kingstown,” said Town Manager Manni. “It not only improves the look of the road, but also improves the safety of the town and builds pride in the neighborhood.”
“The state investment of $6.5 million in local municipal road improvements with local matches nearly $20 million in road restoration and bridge improvements throughout the state,” said Mayor Bob DaSilva, president of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns. “Municipal leaders stretch local tax dollars as far as possible to include maintenance and infrastructure improvements. This funding allows participating municipalities to accomplish more for our residents. On behalf of the League, we are thankful to the Governor and General Assembly for making RhodeRestore a permanent program.”
“RIDOT is proud to administer this program and work with our city and town leaders from the initial application through reimbursement, making this as easy and seamless a process as possible so they can put these dollars to work as quickly as possible,” said. RIDOT Director Alviti.
