Governor Gina Raimondo answers questions about a new study done on her “RhodeWorks” proposal. Photo by Andrew Augustus, WPRO News
Andrew Augustus, WPRO News
Governor Gina Raimondo announced the latest findings on a study about her “RhodeWorks” proposal.
She says the study shows “the road and bridge plan, which I have before the legislature is good for Rhode Island’s economy.”
The study was conducted by the Regional Economic Models, Inc. and cost $50,000. According to the study, the plan would increase Rhode Island’s GDP by $538 million, increase personal income by $521 million, and would create 6,487 jobs over 10 years. The projected numbers assume $400 million will be coming in federal funding for the 6/10 connector.
“This is the deepest study we’ve done to date,” said Raimondo. “This plan creates thousands of jobs for the people of Rhode Island, has ample money to fix our roads and bridges, and puts hundreds of millions of dollars into the pockets of Rhode Island’s families.”
Any money a toll collects by a truck must be used on that bridge. Once the bridge is fixed any excess money can be used on other ailing bridges.
The governor says the longer the state waits to address this problem, the more expensive it will be.
She says there are currently no plans to toll passenger cars and the legislation only focuses on 18-wheel trucks on certain bridges.
The Senate passed the measure last session but it stalled in the House of Representatives.
