PROVIDENCE – Governor Dan McKee Monday, June 26, vetoed a bill passed by overwhelming majorities in both chambers of the General Assembly during its 2023 session, which would have restricted access of so-called "heavy commercial trucks" from traveling on Pleasant Street in the Rumford section of the city at the border with nearby Seekonk, Mass.

The decision was among an initial few "Legislative Transmittal Messages," i.e. vetoes, issued by the governor as the Assembly concludes its formal activities for the year at the end June.

In the veto, McKee opined the law would likely not withstand mandates of federal access laws and did not include a proper impact study, adding, "There does not seem to be any public safety rationale for the measure...I respect the concerns of neighbors who support the legislation."

Approximately 11,420 vehicles per day traverse Pleasant Street and the Hunts Mills Bridge there on what is an important route connecting homes on either side of the Ten Mile River and businesses along the Route 44 corridor as well as Route 1A at Newport Avenue in Rumford.

The legislation (2023-H 5206, 2023-S 1097) was sponsored by Rep. Katherine S. Kazarian (D-Dist. 63, East Providence, Pawtucket) in the House and in the upper chamber by Sen. Robert Britto (D-Dist. 18, East Providence, Pawtucket).

The pair issued the following joint statement in response to the governor's action:

“The veto is unfortunate because this legislation would have rectified a serious safety and quality of life issue for the residents of East Providence. The bill received unanimous support from Mayor Bob DaSilva, the East Providence City Council, and numerous members from the affected neighborhood. We will continue to advocate for our neighbors and work with all of the stakeholders to determine the next course of action. Our goal is to ensure that this residential road is no longer disrupted by large commercial trucks barreling through the neighborhood."

The bill would have prohibited commercial trucks with a gross weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more from traveling on Pleasant Street/Route 114A in East Providence between Pawtucket Avenue and the Massachusetts state line.

The truck ban was backed through a resolution submitted by the East Providence City Council. In the Assembly, the bill passed the House by a 63-3 tally in March and the Senate by a 31-4 vote in June.

It was proposed, in part, in response to the degradation of the Hunts Mills Bridge at Pleasant Street over the Ten Mile River.

In the second half of 2022, the 100-foot span built in 1926 was completely torn down and replaced by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation through its “RhodeWorks” program at a cost of $6.75 million. The project started in July.

The bridge substructure and decking was completed and reopened in December. Aesthetic work continued into 2023.