In addition to drainage improvements, the $6.5 million project, which includes a $300,000 contingency and $4.6 million in construction costs, will focus on pavement replacement,

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is investing in much-needed repairs to 1.3 mi. (2 km) of roadway in the villages of Wakefield and Peace Dale in South Kingstown. Work is under way with the initial task involving the installation of new drainage structures along a section of Kingstown Road, working south toward High Street.

These two roads have historic street flooding problems, which have contributed to deteriorated conditions on the roadway. Pavement conditions had become so poor that following the severe winter of 2015, RIDOT had to invest $81,500 to patch large sections of pot-hole ridden roadway to keep it passable until this project could begin.

"This project is a perfect example of the benefit of our ongoing RhodeWorks program, affording us the funds to properly invest in these necessary projects to repair roads before they fall apart and force us to waste money on band aid fixes to keep our roads open," Peter Alviti Jr., RIDOT director said.

In addition to drainage improvements, the $6.5 million project, which includes a $300,000 contingency and $4.6 million in construction costs, will focus on pavement replacement, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant sidewalk installation, and the addition of new signing and striping. Work also will include the installation of school zone flashing signs to call more attention to the school zone for passing motorists during normal school hours at the Wakefield Elementary School. The project concludes in Summer 2018.

The project area covers 1 mi. (1.6 km) on High Street, from Main Street to Route 108 (Kingstown Road), and 0.3 mi. (.48 km) on Route 108 (Kingstown Road) from High Street to North Road. Motorists may experience lane and shoulder closures during typical weekday work hours from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. As the project progresses, the hours may extend to Saturdays, with detours and temporary road closures possible. The Department is working closely with South Kingstown to minimize impacts to the public. Updated information will be available on RIDOT's website at www.dot.ri.gov/traveladvisories.

Next year RIDOT will begin construction on another project in this area designed to minimize the impact of stormwater runoff into the nearby Saugatucket River. That project, estimated at $1 million and beginning in Fall 2017, includes the installation of three stormwater treatment areas in the Saugatucket River watershed. This project will result in a net improvement in water quality around the river, which flows through the heart of South Kingstown and into Point Judith Pond.

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