Monday, December 3, 2012
The first of two hearings will be held tonight at 7 p.m. at Portsmouth High School.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Monday, December 3, 2012
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation has organized two workshops next week to allow the public to learn more and ask questions about the financial challenges the state faces in maintaining four of Rhode Island’s largest bridges, and the possibility of tolling the Sakonnet River Bridge. Where and when The first workshop is set for Monday, Dec. 3, at Portsmouth High School, according to a press release. The second workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 4, at Tiverton High School. Both meetings take place from 7-10 p.m. In addition to speaking at the workshops, the public will have the opportunity to provide written comment on the proposal. RIDOT is hosting these meetings to gain public input on the possible location of a tolling …
Friday, November 16, 2012
Some of the projects will be completed by the end of this week.
- PUBLIC SAFETY
-
Friday, November 16, 2012
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) has developed a new approach for identifying and addressing safety and congestion problem locations. Called Rhode Island’s Strategically Targeted Affordable Roadway Solutions (RI*STARS), the Department intends to issue contracts for improvements on roads and at intersections with high levels of congestion and crashes. The first area of Rhode Island included in this program is Aquidneck Island. Working collaboratively with the communities of Newport, Middletown and Portsmouth, RIDOT has identified 13 locations on the island. The Department also worked with the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission, which studied transportation needs across the island in its 2011 Aquidneck Island …
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Power outages and tree damage may limit travel.
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is urging residents to drive cautiously today, particularly in South County, which saw the highest winds, flooding, power outages and tree damage from Hurricane Sandy. An estimated 7,000 Newport residents were still without power on Tuesday as the cleanup began. Although the storm has passed, there may be roads still blocked by debris. Even streets that are passable may be partially restricted by trees or crews working to restore power or fully clear the roads. The Department especially wants to urge drivers and pedestrians to be wary of any downed power lines, which may be live. “There is a temptation after a storm like this to get out and view the damage,” RIDOT Director Michael P. …
Monday, October 29, 2012
High winds, localized flooding expected to make driving hazardous
- GOVERNMENT
-
Monday, October 29, 2012
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is encouraging motorists to conclude travel before weather conditions worsen because of Hurricane Sandy. With the forecast calling for sustained tropical storm-force winds, and gusts approaching hurricane force, motorists can expect roads blocked by downed limbs and trees. RIDOT is taking a similar approach to this storm as it does with winter storms by pre-positioning equipment and personnel at various locations around the state to ensure rapid response to incidents. As winds intensify, the likelihood increases for road closures caused by debris such as downed trees and limbs. Watch out for downed power lines, debris in the roadway, toppled road signs or stops signs, and non-…
Thursday, May 31, 2012
RIDOT is investing $10 million in safety enhancements around Rhode Island, including intersections in Newport and Middletown.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Thursday, May 31, 2012
With the summer season is approaching, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) has been focused on making roadways safer for Ocean State motorists by investing $10 million in several safety enhancements, with additional improvements planned for the future. The Department plans on making improvements to overly-congested intersections on Aquidneck Island, including the America’s Cup Avenue and Memorial Boulevard corridors in downtown Newport, and the conversion of Coddington Highway in Middletown from a four lane roadway to a three lane (one lane in each direction and a center-turn lane) roadway with dedicated bike lanes. These improvements are slated to begin this summer. RIDOT has also installed enhanced signing, striping and…
Monday, May 14, 2012
A forum at the Burnside Building tonight at 7 addresses concerns over proposed fees for the Mount Hope and Sakonnet River bridges.
Since 1998, Rhode Islanders — especially those on the East Bay — have had the option to get onto Aquidneck Island without paying the tolls the Newport Bridge charges. The free ride could soon be coming to an end and crossing onto and off the island may soon cost drivers money regardless of the route they take. The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority hopes so. The authority — which already approved raising rates on the Newport Pell Bridge — has proposed adding fees to the Mount Hope and Sakonnet River bridges. The tolls would range from 52 cents to $3.25 each way. The Newport bridge is scheduled to increase from $4 to $5 for cash-paying drivers. Those using an E-Z pass pay less than $1. Residents have voiced strong opposition to the …
Monday, October 31, 2011
The barge had been contracted to paint the Newport Pell Bridge.
Sometime between Saturday evening and Sunday at noon, a barge used by the contractor hired to paint the Newport Pell Bridge sunk during the nor’easter. Northeast Salvage is on site to begin efforts to raise the barge. Traffic on the Pell Bridge will not be disrupted. The barge contains 2,400 gallons of diesel fuel within three double-walled tanks, and a minor oil sheen has been detected near the sunken vessel. The United States Coast Guard, the R.I. Department of Environmental Management, the R.I. Department of Transportation, Clean Harbors, the Newport Harbormaster, and the Newport Navy Base have all been notified of the incident. RITBA is working with the contractor and the salvage company to lift the barge from Narragansett Bay. In…
Joe Sousa.
8:45 am on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Very interesting that Middletown and Newport could lose one third of it's beach revenue with this toll. Those Mass resident could easily go to Horseneck beach in Westport. They just revamped their facility. more ›