Category: US State of Rhode Island

Source: US State of Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) has announced a new date for a travel lane reduction at the Diamond Hill Road Bridge in Cumberland. Starting on Thursday night, August 6, RIDOT will reduce the number of travel lanes from two to one in each direction at the Diamond Hill Road Bridge (Route 114) where it passes over I-295. The change, expected to last for about three months, is part of an ongoing rapid bridge replacement project.

With the lane reduction, RIDOT will shift all travel lanes along Diamond Hill Road to the portion of the bridge that carries northbound traffic. This will free up the southbound side of the bridge so RIDOT can demolish it.

During demolition, traffic may be detoured overnight on Diamond Hill Road over I-295, with one lane of traffic remaining on I-295 under the bridge. Specific closure information will be posted as it is scheduled at: www.ridot.net/travel/traveladvisories.php.

Once the northbound side is rebuilt, RIDOT will rebuild the southbound side of the bridge. All ramps to and from I-295 will remain open.

Through this $63.5 million project, RIDOT has been using accelerated bridge construction methods to rapidly replace the Diamond Hill Road and Douglas Pike bridges. This approach saves motorists up to two years of lane closures and shifts associated with conventional construction. The Douglas Pike Bridge in Smithfield opened to traffic in late spring. Full project completion is slated for spring 2027.

All construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings, and weather.

Source: US State of Rhode Island

Beginning Wednesday, August 5, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is scheduled to undertake repairs to the historic stone masonry wall along Route 108 (Kingstown Road) in the village of Peace Dale in the town of South Kingstown. The wall supports Route 108 South and is in the vicinity of the Palisades Mill at 1080 Kingstown Road.

Weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through the end of August, RIDOT needs to close Route 108 South in this area. A one lane alternating traffic pattern will be established on Route 108 to accommodate both directions of travel. All lanes on Route 108 in this area will reopen outside of the weekday working hours.

This historic wall and mill were built in the late 1870s. The repairs will cost approximately $100,000, which will further preserve and protect this wall.

All construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings, and weather.

Source: US State of Rhode Island

Starting on Friday night, August 7, RIDOT will reduce the number of travel lanes from two to one in each direction at the Diamond Hill Road Bridge (Route 114) where it passes over I-295 in Cumberland. The change, expected to last for about three months, is part of an ongoing rapid bridge replacement project.

With the lane reduction, RIDOT will shift all travel lanes along Diamond Hill Road to the portion of the bridge that carries northbound traffic. This will free up the southbound side of the bridge so RIDOT can demolish it.

During demolition, traffic may be detoured overnight on Diamond Hill Road over I-295, with one lane of traffic remaining on I-295 under the bridge. Specific closure information will be posted as it is scheduled at: www.ridot.net/travel/traveladvisories.php.

Once the northbound side is rebuilt, RIDOT will rebuild the southbound side of the bridge. All ramps to and from I-295 will remain open.

Through this $63.5 million project, RIDOT has been using accelerated bridge construction methods to rapidly replace the Diamond Hill Road and Douglas Pike bridges. This approach saves motorists up to two years of lane closures and shifts associated with conventional construction. The Douglas Pike Bridge in Smithfield opened to traffic in late spring. Full project completion is slated for spring 2027.

All construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings, and weather.

Source: US State of Rhode Island

Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is seeking public comment on the 2026 Smithfield Public Water Supply Board Clean Water Infrastructure Replacement Plan update.

The Smithfield Water Supply Board has developed an update to its Clean Water Infrastructure Replacement Plan (CWIRP). This updated CWIRP is being noticed in accordance with Chapter 46-15.6 of the General Laws of Rhode Island and the “Clean Water Infrastructure Plan” Regulations (216-RICR-50-05-7). The updated document can be found at the link below.

A copy of the CWIRP can be obtained by calling RIDOH’s Center for Drinking Water Quality at 401-222-6867 weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by emailing DOH.RIDWQ@health.ri.gov. All material submitted for review is available for public inspection weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at RIDOH, Center for Drinking Water Quality, Three Capitol Hill, Room 209, Providence, RI 02908.

Written comments should be sent to the Center for Drinking Water Quality at the address above or emailed to DOH.RIDWQ@health.ri.gov within thirty (30) days of the date of this notice.

A public hearing to hear or otherwise receive comments on the proposed clean water infrastructure replacement plan will be held if RIDOH receives such a request by twenty-five (25) persons, or by a governmental agency, or by an association having not less than twenty-five (25) members, within ten (10) days of published notice. If a public hearing is held, it will be open to the public, recorded and held at least five (5) days before the end of the public-comment period. A hearing will not be held earlier than ten (10) days after notice of its location, date, and time published. A request for a public hearing should be sent to the Center for Drinking Water Quality at the address above or emailed to DOH.RIDWQ@health.ri.gov. Notice should be taken that if RIDOH receives a request(s) as provided above on or before 4:30 p.m., August 7th, 2026, a public hearing will be held at the following time and place:

August 14th, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.

RIDOH Auditorium

Three Capitol Hill

Providence, Rhode Island 02908

Interested persons should contact RIDOH to confirm if a hearing will be held at the time and location noted above.

The location of the public hearing will be accessible to the handicapped. Interpreter services for people with hearing impairment and audiotapes for people with vision impairment will be made available. RIDOH is handicap accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Please call RIDOH’s Center for Drinking Water Quality at 401-222-6867 for further information. For individuals requesting communication assistance, call Rhode Island Relay (TTY) at 711 or 800-745-5555 at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance.

Source: US State of Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, RI * The Rhode Island Department of State today issued the following statement:

“For 250 years, our democratic republic has flourished through debate, discourse, and collaboration – even when we have held different views on political issues. However, since 2020, one perpetual line of misinformation has unfortunately divided us. The big lie – that the 2020 election was stolen – has, for many Americans, contributed to a pattern of distrust in our elections that means that any issue or error, no matter how big or small, is taken as evidence of a conspiracy to defraud voters and the very democratic systems on which we were founded.

I believe strongly in our systems, processes, and the rule of law. And I welcome the opportunity to have direct dialogue with any elected official, community group, or voter who wishes to express their concerns. But I ask that anyone who chooses to jump to rhetoric designed to further divide us considers the irreparable harm that is being done to our institutions.

Rhode Islanders deserve clarity on this issue, and since the issue was identified, our office has been proactive in coordinating with the Division of Motor Vehicles and getting answers and reassurance for Rhode Island voters.

With that in mind, I’d like to outline some facts and steps that have been taken thus far:

1. Since 2019, at the request of the Elections Division of the RI Department of State, the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) conducts a regular audit of a randomized selection of DMV records to ensure that database entries match paper records. This process would identify any potential patterns of irregularities in registrations so that they could be immediately rectified. To date, over 5,000 records have been audited, with no errors detected.

2. The RI Department of State has remained in close communication with the Division of Motor Vehicles since Tuesday, July 21, when issues with New Jersey’s voter registration system were announced. I have received assurance that there continues to be no indication that a similar issue has occurred here.

3. This morning, the RI Department of State visited the DMV for a discussion with DMV staff and its vendor. The DMV staff demonstrated the back-end and front-end of transactions, which reassured the Department of State that non-citizens applying for a DMV credential are not offered the opportunity to register to vote.

4. To help maintain Rhode Islanders’ trust in our systems, the RI Department of State requested the DMV conduct an audit of records of non-citizen transactions for the period between 2017, when the DMV implemented its current transaction system, to the start of our regular audits of all transactions in 2019.

I’d also like to ensure Rhode Islanders understand that the federal request for data predated the issue in New Jersey and is unrelated.

The US Department of Justice’s request for Rhode Islanders’ private voter information remains a violation of the US Constitution and federal law, which has been affirmed in 17 separate federal District Court decisions, as well as State law. Additionally, seven Republican Secretaries of State have concurred with Rhode Island’s legal analysis and are also being sued for denying the federal administration’s unconstitutional attempts to interfere with elections processes across the country.

The RI Department of State adheres to all federal and State elections laws and continues to ensure that Rhode Island’s elections are secure, fair, and accessible.”

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Source: US State of Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, RI * The Rhode Island Department of State today issued the following scam alert:

The Rhode Island Department of State’s Election Division has been alerted to a phishing attempt that issues a false warning to voters regarding verification of their voter information.

The email asks voters to review their voter information and click a link to confirm or update that information. This email was not authorized by the Department of State and should be deleted right away. Do not click links in the email.

An email was sent from an email address that displays as admin@vote.sos.ri.gov, which is not a state-authorized email address. The subject line reads “2026 Vote RI Gov Information Verification.”

Rhode Island election officials will never ask you to click a link to verify voter information unless you are on our trusted website (vote.ri.gov) and only after you have entered your personal information.

“Keeping your voter information updated ahead of an election is very important * but unfortunately, bad actors are trying to take advantage of your desire to ensure you’re ready to vote,” said Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore. “I encourage anyone who needs to confirm or update their voter information to do so on our Voter Information Center at vote.ri.gov.”

More information about elections can be found at vote.ri.gov.

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Source: US State of Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, RI * The Rhode Island Department of State today issued the following statement:

The Rhode Island Department of State is aware of the voter registration issue that has been identified in New Jersey.

The RI Department of State is in close communication with the Division of Motor Vehicles and has requested a meeting with the Division of Motor Vehicles and its vendor.

At this time, there is no indication that a similar issue has occurred here. Since 2019, at the request of the Elections Division of the RI Department of State, the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) conducts a regular audit of a randomized selection of DMV records to ensure that database entries match paper records. This process would identify any potential patterns of irregularities in registrations so that they could be immediately rectified.

The Elections Division has also requested a complete system review with the Division of Motor Vehicles.

The RI Department of State remains confident in the integrity of Rhode Island’s voter rolls.

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Source: US State of Rhode Island

On Friday night, July 31 at 9 p.m., the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is scheduled to shift all traffic to the right on I-95 South at the Route 4 Interchange to create a safe work zone in the median as part of its ongoing “Missing Move” project in Warwick and East Greenwich.

This new traffic pattern, anticipated to stay in place into early summer 2027, will allow the Department to complete drainage improvements and construct the northern pier for the new flyover bridge from Route 4 North to I-95 South.

The specific movements for the night of July 31 are as follows:

* I-95 South, between Exit 24B (Route 4 South) and 24A (Route 2 South), all lanes will shift to the right.

* The shifting of lanes on I-95 South approaching Exit 24B (Route 4 South) will be initiated approximately 500 feet sooner than its current location.

* The right lane drop prior to Exit 24A will be shifted slightly so drivers encounter it approximately 500 feet sooner than its current location.

The ‘Missing Move’ was never built when Route 4 was constructed in the 1960s. Through it, RIDOT is building new ramps to create direct highway connections between I-95 North and Route 4 South, and Route 4 North and I-95 South.

The $144 million project also includes numerous improvements at and near the Quonset Business Park, the state’s largest industrial park in North Kingstown. That work includes three ramps on Route 403 and a roundabout at Compass Circle to provide connectivity to all parts of the Business Park.

All construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings, and weather. Final completion of the entire project is expected in fall 2027.

Source: US State of Rhode Island

As part of an ongoing bridge replacement project, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is scheduled to make traffic pattern changes for two bridges over I-295 in Cumberland and Smithfield.

Beginning Sunday night, July 19, at 9 p.m., through the fall, traffic will shift to the left, with three lanes going down to two, on I-295 North and South at the Diamond Hill Road Bridge under Diamond Hill Road (Route 114) in Cumberland. Effective Tuesday night, July 21, at 9 p.m., lanes will be narrowed through mid-fall at the Route 7 (Douglas Pike) Bridge carrying Route 7 (Douglas Pike) North and South over I-295 in Smithfield.

These changes will allow the Department to do demolition and reconstruction at the Diamond Hill Road Bridge, and complete concrete median work at the Douglas Pike Bridge. For the remainder of the week, motorists should expect nightly lane closures from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for associated construction activities. For any schedule changes or updates, please see www.ridot.net/TravelAdvisories.

Through this $63.5 million project, RIDOT has been using accelerated bridge construction methods to rapidly replace these two bridges. This approach saves motorists up to two years of lane closures and shifts associated with conventional construction. The Douglas Pike Bridge in Smithfield opened to traffic in late spring. Full project completion is slated for spring 2027.

All construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings, and weather.

Source: US State of Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is scheduled to temporarily close the intersection of the Route 146 Service Road at Sayles Hill Road in North Smithfield for excavation during the week, then paving over the weekend. The closures will be in effect nightly from Monday, July 13 at 9 p.m. through Sunday, July 19 at 6 p.m., excluding Friday night, July 17.

Motorists can expect the closures on the Route 146 Northbound Service Road at Sayles Hill Road on Monday and Tuesday nights, July 13 and 14, and the Route 146 Southbound Service Road at Sayles Hill Road on Wednesday and Thursday nights, July 15 and 16. On Saturday night, July 18, at 9 p.m. through Sunday, July 19, at 6 p.m., crews will be working on both directions of the Route 146 Service Road at Sayles Hill Road for paving. Access for local residents and businesses will be maintained approaching the intersection. All other traffic will be detoured.

The following restrictions and suggested detours will be in place:

Route 146 South to Sayles Hill Road eastbound (toward Manville) * Detour by remaining on Route 146 and reversing direction at the next exit for I-295, then using the right lane at the Sayles Hill Road intersection to access Sayles Hill Road eastbound.

Route 146 South to Sayles Hill Road westbound (toward Iron Mine Road) * Drivers should use the ramp to Sayles Hill Road approximately 1 mile prior to the signalized Sayles Hill Road intersection adjacent to the Subaru dealership.

Route 146 North to Sayles Hill Road westbound (toward Iron Mine Road) * Detour by remaining on Route 146 North and use the Route 104 interchange to reverse direction on Route 146 South, then take the ramp to Sayles Hill Road approximately 1 mile prior to the signalized Sayles Hill Road intersection.

Route 146 North making a U-turn to Route 146 South * Detour by remaining on Route 146 and U-turn at the Route 146A interchange.

All construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings and weather.

This work is part of the $196 million Route 146 Reconstruction Project. It is replacing multiple bridges, repaving 8 miles of road and eliminating congestion at the intersection of Sayles Hill Road and Route 146. Approximately 171,000 vehicles use Route 146 daily. Project completion is scheduled for summer 2026.