RI lands $81M grant to build 'missing ramps' from I-95 north to Route 4 south
Rhode Island is landing an $81-million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to connect Interstate 95 to Route 4 and build new highway ramps in the Quonset Business Park, the state's congressional delegation said Wednesday.
When complete, the construction projects will allow drivers to get from I-95 North to Route 4 South and from Route 4 North to I-95 South without getting off the highway. These so-called "missing moves" connecting Route 4 to the western part of the state were never built when the ramps connecting to and from Providence were.
The money will also fund a new I-95 South entrance ramp from Route 2 in Warwick.
3 ramps expected to ease Quonset access
In Quonset, the federal "INFRA" grant will fund "three missing ramps to improve access for truck and freight operators approaching Quonset Business Park," a joint news release from Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Representatives Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo stated.
“This is a smart investment in growing Rhode Island’s economy, improving traffic flow and helping thousands of Rhode Islanders get to and from work quicker and more efficiently," Reed said in the news release. "This was a collaborative effort that took many years and I was pleased to help lay the groundwork for it by securing a $4-million planning grant in 2022."
By reducing congestion, the state Department of Transportation considers the highway construction projects a positive in the state's efforts to combat climate change.
More: Climate activists question whether RI highway projects fit emission reduction targets
The DOT estimates that the highway ramps "will collectively reduce approximately 500 metric tons of greenhouse gases per year," according to the news release.
Environmental and mass-transit advocacy groups have repeatedly challenged the McKee administration's description of highway building as a climate strategy, arguing that reductions in emissions from congestion are typically outweighed by inducing more driving and encouraging sprawl.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI will use $81m federal grant to build 'missing ramps' from I-95 to Rt. 4
