WPRO News and the Associated Press
WEST KINGSTON, R.I. (AP) – Gov. Gina Raimondo and state officials say a new high-speed rail project will improve transit in Rhode Island and throughout the Northeast Corridor.
Raimondo was joined Monday by the state’s Congressional delegation and transit officials for a groundbreaking of the $41 million project at the Kingston station.
The state Department of Transportation and Amtrak are partnering to build an additional section of track and new platforms there.
Officials say the upgrades will reduce congestion and minimize delays.
A federal grant will provide about $26 million for the project and Amtrak will provide the rest.
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau show the Providence-Warwick metropolitan area has the highest commute time for workers who take public transit of any medium-sized metro area.
Raimondo says the high commute time is unacceptable.
