LITTLE COMPTON — When the state started work on Snell Road back in October, they figured it would take them more than a year to finish a $2.2 million job that included replacing drainage culverts, signs, guardrails and pavement.

Just over two months later, the project is complete.

Officials from the state Department of Transportation and Little Compton gathered Friday to cut the ribbon to the smooth new .62-mile stretch of roadway and celebrate the savings of time and money.

Asked whether finishing nearly a year early was a result of superb work by contractor Narragansett Improvement Company or perhaps a not-so-challenging deadline, Project Manager Jody Richards and DOT Director Peter Alviti Jr. both said it was the former.

The culvert replacement required wetlands work, Mr. Richards said, and regulations prohibit wetlands excavation from October 31 to July 1.

Starting Oct. 4, the contractor “didn’t waste a minute” and went right after the required permit and going to work. The digging and drainage work were completed about a day before the clock wound down to that October 31 deadline, Mr. Richards said. He added that good weather didn’t hurt.

Had that deadline been missed, the whole project would have ground to a halt, unable to resume until next July 1, he added, and occasional lane closures would have extended into next summer.

“This would not have happened three years ago, Mr. Alviti said. “We would have been holding this ceremony a year from now.”

In addition to cutting time and inconvenience to drivers, the accomplishment saves nearly $500,000, Mr. Alviti said — about a quarter of the cost.

Governor Gina Raimondo added, “Thanks to RhodeWorks, we are rebuilding Rhode Island … I am proud the Department of Transportation has completed yet another project ahead of schedule.

Little Compton Town Council Chairman Rovert Mushen thanked the DOT and contractor for making short work of what was becoming a safety and access issue that was getting worse by the year.

Also helping cut the ribbon was Town Council Vice President Paul Golembeski who lives right around the corner from the ceremony — he was thanked for letting the contractor park equipment on his property.

More roads to come

Mr. Mushen said he hopes this is the first of several road projects coming to Little Compton in the near future.

He and Mr. Arditi said they are exploring ways the town and state could share such jobs. The town, Mr. Mushen said, doesn’t have the engineering and design resources that the state possesses but could potentially handle other parts of the work to help keep costs down.

Road being considered for work include Meeting House Lane, South of Commons Road, and Simmons Road, Mr. Mushen said.