WARWICK, R.I. (AP) - U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island is urging Congress to pass a long-term federal highway funding bill, saying it would benefit the state by creating jobs, boosting the economy and improving some of the country’s worst roads and bridges.
The Democratic senator said Wednesday that Rhode Island would suffer a major setback if the current federal highway funding program expires at the end of the month as scheduled.
Whitehouse says the state, for example, doesn’t have the money to rebuild the intersection of routes 6 and 10 at the Providence viaduct, and federal funding is vital. That project is estimated at $800 million.
Construction unions in the state say highway projects would bring jobs and increase public safety.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.