East Providence legislators call state road repair plan ‘unacceptable’

Lack of remedy for Pawtucket Avenue draws ire of local pols

By Mike Rego
Posted 5/26/16

PROVIDENCE — As Vice President Joe Biden heads to East Providence to laud the "RhodeWorks" construction program set up by Governor Gina Raimondo and the Department of Transportation, the …

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East Providence legislators call state road repair plan ‘unacceptable’

Lack of remedy for Pawtucket Avenue draws ire of local pols

Posted

PROVIDENCE — As Vice President Joe Biden heads to East Providence to laud the "RhodeWorks" construction program set up by Governor Gina Raimondo and the Department of Transportation, the city's General Assembly contingent assailed the plan's lack of attention to the state-owned Pawtucket Avenue.

The East Providence legislative delegation called the recently released state plan on road repairs for city "blatantly flawed and a threat to the public wellbeing of residents" in a tersely worded press release issued late Thursday afternoon, May 26.

Vice President Biden will join other dignitaries at the DOT facility on Warren Avenue Friday morning, May 27, to recognize the state's investment in infrastructure through the "RhodeWorks" initiative.

However, Pawtucket Avenue, which for the last several years especially has been ravaged by constant utility construction, is not on the program's priority list.

In fact, City Public Works Director Steve Coutu recently told the Council DOT officials had said in no uncertain terms "RhodeWorks" monies would be used mostly for the repair of dilapidated bridges and overpasses as opposed to street repairs.

This fact obviously didn't resonate with the Assembly members, who each took turns in the release lamenting the lack of Pawtucket Avenue remedies in the plan.

“I am frustrated and disappointed with this proposed plan that disregards the economic and safety needs of East Providence taxpayers,” said Sen. Daniel Da Ponte (D-Dist. 14, East Providence). “Pawtucket Avenue has been crumbling for far too long and waiting until 2023-2024 to fix it is unacceptable to our taxpayers. This is a state road and DOT needs to accept their responsibility of maintaining this central road to our city. If the Planning Council and DOT continue to refuse to listen, then other options will be looked at to make sure our residents can travel safely and securely.”

“The deterioration of Pawtucket Avenue has been ignored and passed over by DOT for years and it’s getting to a point where there are legitimate safety concerns for East Providence residents. This plan needs to be amended to rectify this growing problem,” said Sen. William J. Conley Jr. (D-Dist. 18, East Providence Pawtucket).

“Economic development in our city cannot proceed if our major roadway is virtually impassable at this point,” said Rep. Helio Melo (D-Dist. 64, East Providence). “I urge the Planning Council to correct this terrible plan and to give the residents of East Providence what they deserve after paying their tax bills every year – acceptable roads.”

“Our residents pay too much in taxes every year to have to deal with the crumbling conditions of Pawtucket Avenue,” said Rep. Katherine S. Kazarian (D-Dist. 63, East Providence). “This is an issue of safety and a significant barrier to economic development for East Providence and our residents deserve far better than what they are getting from the DOT.”

“Owning a tank should not be necessary to go down Pawtucket Avenue but it’s beginning to get to that point,” said Rep. Gregg Amore (D-Dist. 65, East Providence). “East Providence residents pay their taxes and they deserve a safe Pawtucket Avenue to travel on with their families and vehicles. This plan is simply intolerable.”

In written testimony submitted to the RI State Planning Council for a public hearing on May 26, the delegation criticized the FFY 2017-2025 Draft State Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for its timeline to repair many state controlled East Providence roads, in particular, Pawtucket Avenue, which would not see total completed repairs until the years 2023-2024.

The delegation previously petitioned Director of the Department of Transportation Peter V. Alviti for crucial and necessary repairs to Pawtucket Avenue in November of 2015. Director Alviti responded in writing that a portion of the road would see work beginning in 2016 but the remainder would not be tended to until 2023 and 2024.

2024 by East Bay Media Group

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A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.