EAST PROVIDENCE, RI – In a step that could ease traffic congestion and improve public safety in the neighborhoods near the Washington Bridge, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressman Gabe Amo today announced a new federal grant to inform future upgrades to key infrastructure and technology related to traffic control along the City of East Providence’s most trafficked roadways.
The City of East Providence has been awarded a $549,770 federal grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program. This grant will be carried out in conjunction with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) and will focus on local roadways that serve as critical access points to the Interstate 195, which cuts through East Providence and serves as the only east-west access point connecting eastern Rhode Island and Massachusetts to Interstate 95.
This Stage 1 funding will help East Providence determine the best ways to modernize local infrastructure, upgrade advanced traffic detection technology, replace outdated traffic signals, and help acquire new real-time data and traffic controls with the goal of relieving the pressure of gridlock traffic.
“I am committed to doing everything I can to help East Providence address traffic control issues and relieve congestion resulting from the emergency closure of the westbound portion of the Washington Bridge. The increased strain on local roads from the closure heightens frustration and increases hazards, drive time, and the potential for accidents,” said Senator Jack Reed. “This grant will help modernize the City’s traffic control systems and make roads safer, more efficient, and easier to navigate.”
“The Washington Bridge situation is causing backups into East Providence neighborhoods that were not designed to handle heavy traffic,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. “This federal funding will support upgrades to roads and traffic signals so that drivers can travel more efficiently through East Providence and small businesses can operate with less disruption while the Bridge remains at partial capacity.”
“As we remain laser-focused on the Washington Bridge rebuild process, it’s critical that we support the surrounding communities in East Providence by ensuring that local roads aren’t being overly strained by the emergency closure,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “This federal funding from the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transport Grant lives up to its name as a SMART investment to modernize local infrastructure, advance traffic detection, and keep our communities safe.”
“We are so thankful to our congressional delegation for their leadership in securing this funding,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said. “This public safety infrastructure project will be an integral step in alleviating traffic congestion in some of the most impacted neighborhoods in our city.”
Specifically, this funding will help East Providence plan for upgrades to aged and outdated signal equipment and the installation of new, cutting-edge traffic control systems along the key high-traffic corridors of Taunton Avenue, Warren Avenue, Pawtucket Avenue, and Broadway. By utilizing smart technology hardware and software, these future improvements will enable real-time access to data on traffic conditions and will allow for adaptive control of traffic systems to reduce congestion along the most trafficked areas while minimizing impact for residential neighborhoods adjacent to entry ramps for I-195.
In addition to improving vehicular mobility, this project aims to reduce air pollution driven by frequent stopping and idling as well as other impacts on local neighborhoods stemming from increased congestion.
The Washington Bridge, which spans the Seekonk River connecting East Providence to Providence and has a daily traffic volume of 90,000 vehicles, was shut down on December 11, 2023 after the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) discovered broken anchor rods that put the bridge at risk of failure. The closure and related detours through East Providence have placed increased strain on the City’s roadways, resulting in delays and potential hazards for motorists and other roadway users.
