Providence Calls For National Grid To Repair City Streets

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Providence City Council is calling for a moratorium on road construction by National Grid until the company repairs the city's roads and sidewalks. Last week, the council unanimously passed a resolution calling for the Director of Public Works to not issue any construction permits to National Grid, saying previous projects have left streets in disrepair.

"National Grid needs to be held accountable for their actions; our roadways are getting torn up, the fines are going unpaid and this neglect must stop," Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia said in a statement. "It is simply unacceptable that one of the largest energy companies in the world is burdening our residents with higher costs from work that is being half done. As elected officials it is our duty to ensure that the City’s infrastructure is maintained in appropriate condition for all those who live, work and visit Providence."

In addition, the resolution calls for a formal complaint to be filed to the Public Utilities Commission by the City Solicitors Office, requesting that National Grid pay back more than $50,000 in outstanding fines to the city.

According to the 2016 National Resources Network strategic plan for Providence, it would cost $90 million to complete backlogged repairs to city sidewalks. Additionally, the report said that improvements to sidewalks and roads would "provide the foundation for stronger neighborhoods, improved quality of life of residents, and increased economic attractiveness and competitiveness for employers."

Rhode Island has long been known for its poor roadways. In 2017, The American Society of Engineers Infrastructure Report Card said more than half of the state's roads are classified as being in poor condition and the average driver spends $800 annually from driving on damaged roadways.