RIBTA Will Spend $225m over 10 Years for Bridge Repairs

The Rhode Island Bridge and Turnpike Authority has approved a $225 million, 10-year maintenance plan that for the first time includes all four of Rhode Island’s major bridges, which the authority now oversees.

The plan, updated every two years, covered routine maintenance items as well as long-term repair and improvements for each bridge as well as the Route 138 connector in Jamestown and RIBTA facilities.

The Claiborne Pell Bridge, which connects Newport to the mainland, will consume the bulk of the funds, totaling $126 million by June 24.

Most of that comes from repair and replacement of the bridge deck and painting projects.

The Sakonnet River Bridge -- the newest of the four bridges -- will require just $6.48 million of investment over the 10 year period.

The Sakonnet River Bridge was the center of a controversy over tolling. Lawmakers outlawed tolls on the bridge earlier this year.

At the time, the turnpike authority warned that without tolls, it would have difficulty paying for bridge maintenance.

So far this year, the turnpike authority is collecting more money that anticipated through tolls on the Claiborne Pell Bridge, gas tax revenue and other revenues.

As of Oct. 31, it had collected $12.3 million while expecting $10.89 million. Meanwhile, expenses are lower than expected with $3.26 million spent as of Oct. 31 as compared to the $3.89 that had been budgeted.

The full 10-year plan and other financial documents can be found HERE.