E.P. Council asks RIDOT to reassess bike path cuts

Proposal would see monies reallocated into “RhodeWorks” program

By Mike Rego
Posted 2/21/19

EAST PROVIDENCE — How effective it might be is up to debate, but the City Council, at its February 22 meeting, backed a resolution requesting the Rhode Island Department of Transportation alter a …

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E.P. Council asks RIDOT to reassess bike path cuts

Proposal would see monies reallocated into “RhodeWorks” program

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — How effective it might be is up to debate, but the City Council, at its February 22 meeting, backed a resolution requesting the Rhode Island Department of Transportation alter a proposal to trim some $27 million earmarked for continued upgrades to and new construction of walking and biking trails around the state, instead transferring that money to its ongoing “RhodeWorks” program.
The resolution was formally sponsored by Ward 3 representative Nate Cahoon. Ward 4 Councilman Ricardo Mourato has input as well.
Under an amendment to the state Transportation Improvement Plan that was requested January 24 by RIDOT and the R.I. Public Transit Authority, set-asides for the Transportation Alternatives Program, the primary source of funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects statewide, would be slashed by 33 percent over four years.
In a statement released January 30, RIDOT said it's not eliminating any bike projects, but is delaying them due to reduced funding for the department.
RIDOT spokesman Charles St. Martin wrote, “The decision to reschedule some projects affect other areas of our transportation program, most notably the pavement program and the bike program.
“The Governor and Legislature mandated through the RhodeWorks legislation that RIDOT reach a state of good repair by 2025. RIDOT has amended the TIP in a manner that ensures the safety of the thousands of Rhode Islanders who travel our roads and bridges every day. We are also under a federal mandate to have no more than 10 percent of our bridges rated structurally deficient. We will use our funds to accomplish this mission.
“It should also be noted that the only expansion projects in the 10-year plan are in transit and bicycle/pedestrian projects. We have $4.7 million allocated for bike/ped projects this year and a total of nearly $60 million worth of bike projects in the 10-year TIP period (2018-2027). All other bridge and road projects are merely state of good repair.”
In response, the Rhode Island Bicycle Coalition claimed the proposed amendment eliminates, cuts or delays funding to 35 bicycle and pedestrian projects statewide, including separated bike paths, sidewalks, and critical on-road connections.
Last year, RIDOT repaired 12 miles of the East Bay Bike Path between Independence Park in Bristol and Riverside Square in East Providence, removing cracks and resurfacing the trail. The cost for the work was estimated at $1.4 million.
Though East Providence would likely not be impacted by the reallocation of funds immediately, it still gave pause to some in the community.
Riverside resident Peter Nassoit approached the council at the February 22 forum to address the matter, expressing his support of the body’s intention to have RIDOT reassess its proposal. Mr. Nassoit also correctly noted public comment on the issue was set to close on Thursday, Feb. 28. A final decision by state officials on the plan should be made in the coming days and weeks.
“Basically I’m here to speaking on behalf of cyclists and pedestrians and people who have kids, people who don’t have kids, people who run on the East Bay Bike Path, which is near and dear to my heart,” Mr. Nassoit said last week. “So when I reached out to Councilman Mourato and the planning department in the hopes of getting something on the books basically saying that the City Council, itself, was opposed, I was happy to hear in response it was already in progress.”

— Story includes contributions from Portsmouth Times editor Jim McGaw

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MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.