There was nothing but applause for the state’s Congressional delegation, and in particular Senator Jack Reed, for securing two federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grants totaling $66 million for work on Route 37 at a Friday morning press conference at Balise Motors on Post Road. Yet the plan to eliminate the Route 37 bridge over Post Road, replacing the clover leaf with an at grade traffic light regulated intersection raises concerns with Ward 2 Councilman Jeremy Rix.

Rix fears the intersection could back up traffic on Route 95 and Post Road during rush hour. And he suggested the state Department of Transportation conduct a public hearing before proceeding with the plan. He also feels the DOT is advancing the plan to save on the reconstruction of the bridge that is currently being supported by “Lincoln logs.”

“The DOT’s number one concern should be on the impact on traffic not on the budget,” he said as officials gathered outside the Balise showroom. Because of visibility restrictions, both the southbound and northbound Post Road merge lanes are the sites on multiple accidents.

DOT Director Peter Alviti said after the press conference that his office had been in conversations and reviewed plans with Mayor Frank Picozzi and his administration. During the press conference he said that Route 37 was initially designed as a beltway around Providence and that the Post Road ramps were built to be part of a larger system and not the end of the line. He sees no reason for a public hearing as the administration was included in the planning process.

Picozzi wasn’t entirely pleased with what he learned from Warwick Beacon coverage of the intersection. The July 13 Beacon reported that the intersection wouldn’t include a link to Minnesota Avenue. Picozzi said he questioned Alviti and was told federal funding would not cover the work.

Gov. Dan McKee spoke of the “team effort” on behalf of state legislators and the Congressional delegation to secure the funding for road and bridge repairs. House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi said the project includes a “big secret.” With elimination of the clover leaf, he said nine acres would be freed for development. Picozzi is excited for what that could mean for development on Post Road.

Reed said winning the $25 million RAISE grant involved the participation of every level of government Senator Sheldon Whitehouse said the $25 million brings the total in federal funding for Route 37 to $66 million.

In a DOT release, Alviti said, “Combined with other federal funds and matching Rhode Island state funds, this $100 million project (the Post Road intersection) will complete a $261 million investment to finalize the transformation of Route 37 across three projects. We’re already starting the planning process to initiate this final phase, which will result in a significant economic boom to Rhode Island.”

Derek Torrey Rhode Island Division Administrator with the Federal Highway Administration said the state and elected officials had “checked all the boxes” to qualify for the grant in a demonstration “of how everyone in Rhode Island is working together.”

Congressman Seth Magaziner said the grant does more than rebuilding roads and bridges. “It’s about more money in the pockets of Rhode Islanders.”

That went along with Michael F. Sabitoni’s take on the significance of the grant and the project.

“What is the impact,” he asked rhetorically. “Quality of life,” he answered citing the impact on businesses and jobs. Sabitoni is President of the Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council .

Alviti said the “design-build” project would start immediately. He said the first shovel would go  in the ground in 2024.