Preferably Pawtucket

🙏 Civic Concern: Officials gather in Pawtucket for RhodeRestore update

PAWTUCKET – On May 28, Gov.Dan McKee was joined by municipal leaders from across Rhode Island in Pawtucket to highlight the success of the RhodeRestore matching-grant program, according to a news release.

Officials say the program, made possible through $33.5 million in grants, has sparked $140 million in municipal road repairs in the last three years through 1,370 projects across the state.

The event’s speaking program featured the mayors of Pawtucket, East Providence, North Providence, and Woonsocket, as well as Rhode Island Department of Transportation Interim Director Robert Rocchio.

“As governor, I created the RhodeRestore program because 80 percent of the roadways in Rhode Island are maintained at the local level,” said McKee. “And as a former mayor, I understand that municipalities can really accelerate their road repairs with the extra funding RhodeRestore provides.”

The event was held along Broadway in Pawtucket, which officials describe as a major connector linking many Pawtucket businesses and residential neighborhoods.

“RhodeRestore is exactly the kind of partnership our cities and towns need right now,” said Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien. “I want to thank Governor McKee for his strong advocacy and leadership in advancing this matching grant program and recognizing the real needs facing communities like Pawtucket. Investments through Rhode Restore will help us strengthen critical infrastructure, improve neighborhoods, and continue building a stronger future for our residents.”

According to the release, Pawtucket has taken full advantage of RhodeRestore since its inception, amounting to $3.8 million in improvements that resulted in 10 miles of repaved roads and nearly 15,000 feet of fixed sidewalks.

This summer, Pawtucket is slated to improve 2.5 lane miles of roads throughout the city.

East Providence has also benefited greatly from the Rhode Restore program, putting $5.4 million toward 21 lane miles of road improvements.

North Providence is making $2.7 million in road improvements, while Woonsocket is investing $2.8 million.

“These funds have allowed the town of North Providence to maximize its resources and address our much-needed road maintenance, providing safer surfaces for vehicle travel,” said North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi.

“RhodeRestore has been a game changer for communities like Woonsocket,” said Woonsocket Mayor Christopher Beauchamp. “These investments are helping us address critical infrastructure needs faster than would otherwise be possible, while improving safety, accessibility, and quality of life for our residents. We’re grateful to Governor McKee and the state for recognizing that strong local roads are essential to strong local economies.”

The public can track the progress of RhodeRestore online at www.ridot.net/RhodeRestore. The site also includes an interactive dashboard that reports the number of approved projects and their dollar value by community.

RhodeRestore became a permanent budget item in the FY26 budget. McKee recommended $10 million in program funding for FY27, with RIDOT rapidly approving projects on a rolling basis.

Of the $10 million in new funding, each city and town will equally share $2.5 million – approximately $64,000 per community – and the remaining $7.5 million will be distributed proportionately based on each municipality’s share of non-federally eligible lane miles.

All funds are matched, with cities and towns providing 67 percent of the funds, and the state matching the final 33 percent.

- The Valley Breeze

🎨 Arts & Culture: "Thurston Lobster Pound", Artist Thomas Bucci, ME, Watercolor, 21"x 29", Rhode island Watercolor Society, 2026 National Watermedia Exhibition