A significant milestone in the construction of the Henderson Bridge and Expressway has been achieved with the announcement of $25 million in federal funding to support the expansion project.
The funding will be used to convert the existing freeway into a low-speed facility incorporating non-motorized transportation, bike lanes, and pedestrian paths. This will allow for safer and more multimodal forms of travel between Providence and East Providence.
The project, which is being carried out by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), is expected to cost approximately $35 million. The federal funding is being awarded through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity Raise (RAISE) grant program, which is designed to support projects that have a positive impact on the nation’s infrastructure and create jobs.
The funding will be used for a range of projects, including the demolition of an existing bridge, loop ramp, and two traffic signals, the construction of a roundabout, two miles of bike and pedestrian paths, and two scenic overlooks on the Henderson Bridge over the Seekonk River. The upgrades aim to improve the quality of life for working people and make it easier and safer to travel across the state.
The project is expected to improve travel conditions for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians, and will also promote economic development in the surrounding area. It is a significant step forward in the ongoing efforts to upgrade Rhode Island’s infrastructure and improve the quality of life for residents.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
