WPRI reports, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee (D) is stepping up advocacy aimed at getting the Trump administration to release funding from grants awarded by USDOT for two vital interstate highway projects, including replacement of the westbound Washington Bridge span in Providence. The state was guaranteed hundreds of millions of dollars in aid from three federal programs during the Biden administration. However, executive orders issued by President Trump are preventing RIDOT from drawing down funds, even though it’s uncertain the executive orders were intended to apply to the transportation grants.
In a Tuesday letter to the president, McKee stated, “While we are confident that we should receive these grant funds, we need the federal government to expedite this signature process and make good on their commitment to Rhode Island.” However, according to WPRI, the letter also “signals ongoing uncertainty among Rhode Island leaders over whether the state will ever receive the funds.” RIDOT Director Peter Alviti has told state lawmakers he believes there are other sources of money for the projects, but using those resources would short-change funding for other infrastructure projects.