To the editor:

The Oct. 6 issue of the Portsmouth Times (“State replacing East Bay Bike Path bridges”) speaks volumes of our Rhode Island government in general and specifically the R.I. Department of Transportation (RIDOT). 

Also, throw in some members of our congressional delegation. We have now learned how we can have a groundbreaking for a project that has not completed design and will not begin construction (maybe) until the spring. 

RIDOT must have trucked in the sand. They do seem to have a good inventory of shovels. This article may give new meaning to the term shovel-ready. The article is replete with effusive and gratuitous accolades and attaboys. Our silver-tongued RIDOT director gives special credit to Sen. Whitehouse, an Aquidneck Island resident who perhaps does not travel East Main Road in Portsmouth. 

We were promised an upgrade in 1975 for the whole highway and a Town Center in 2002. In about 2007-2008 Sen. Reed came up with about $1 million for the engineering and design of the Town Center. I have nothing against bike paths. In fact, some of my best friends are bikers and walkers who use the East Bay Bike Path; we don’t have such a facility on Aquidneck Island. 

Perhaps our leaders could have a groundbreaking for the promised improvements to Portsmouth’s state highways. Or even Governor Danny Boy could come to Portsmouth Middle School and give us an update on the presentation that we received in 1975. 

RIDOT has plans out for review of East Main Road. Perhaps they should share them with the public. The same Oct. 6 issue of the Portsmouth Times has an editorial that  gives RIDOT a somewhat ambivalent, lukewarm pat on the back.

RIDOT has a long history of not getting it right. Tolls on the Sakonnet Bridge!Perhaps when Governor Danny Boy comes to Portsmouth he should bring along Director Alviti. There is a lot to be learned from the RIDOT attempt to close the Silver Creek Bridge in Bristol and tolls on the Sakonnet Bridge.

Philip Driscoll

169 Immokolee Drive

Portsmouth