Aquidneck Ave, Middletown. Credit: RIDOT

Rhode Island transportation officials are set to celebrate the completion of a major road reconstruction project in Middletown on Tuesday.

The $8.9 million project has rebuilt part of Aquidneck Avenue, one of the town’s busiest commercial areas.

Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti Jr. and state Sen. Louis DiPalma will join other state and local leaders at 1 pm at Maher Garden Center to mark the project’s end.

RIDOT has finished work this construction season to rebuild the badly deteriorated road base and make several safety improvements for pedestrians and cyclists.

The project addresses a critical infrastructure need on one of Middletown’s main roads. Aquidneck Avenue is a key route for local businesses and commuters.

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020). He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide. Ryan...