FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 27, 2021
CONTACT INFO. :
Office of the Mayor
Patricia Resende
(401) 529-3207
presende@eastprovidenceri.gov
City pitches RIDOT on proposal to provide creative connection between three communities
EAST PROVIDENCE, RI – The city of East Providence under Mayor Bob DaSilva’s direction is working on a proposal that would create connectivity between the East Side of Providence, Rumford and Seekonk.
The proposal is to take the existing Henderson Expressway (which is slated for improvements in Phase II of the Henderson Bridge replacement project) and develop it into two lanes of travel. The proposal features a center parkway/walkway/bikeway dividing the east and westbound lanes and connection to the Seekonk River Crossing parcel via a roundabout (to replace the Broadway Bridge) allowing travelers to continue on to Pawtucket Avenue.
“This would create a new route of travel for pedestrians, bicyclist, motorists and even mass transit via a potentially new Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) bus route,” Mayor Bob DaSilva wrote in his letter to RIDOT Dir. Peter Alviti.
The City has also made its pitch to RIPTA seeking its input and potential support in creating a new transit hub in the vicinity of Pawtucket Avenue and has outlined the potential the specific project has for enhancing transit connections within the City.
Mayor DaSilva also believes a partnership between East Providence and RIDOT, with support from federal and state delegation, could provide the city and state with federal grant opportunities to fund the project.
