Member Designated Transportation Projects

Project Eligibility

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will advance surface transportation authorization legislation later this spring. In order to make the federal transportation funding process more responsive to the needs of the American people, the Committee will accept requests from Members of Congress for highway and transit project designations in the districts they represent (“Member Designated Projects”). Applications will be submitted from individual Congressional offices to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to be considered for inclusion in the FY 2022 surface transportation authorization legislation. Because the final funding determination is made by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Members cannot guarantee what will be funded and at what level.

The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee process for considering Member Designated Projects is distinct from the House Committee on Appropriations’ process for considering Community Project Funding requests. Projects funded through the surface transportation authorization will be funded directly from the Highway Trust Fund, and they do not require a separate or subsequent appropriation.

Capital projects eligible under title 23, United States Code, and chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code, are eligible for funding requests under T&I’s project submission process. The best way to ensure project eligibility is to select projects included in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), as those projects have already been certified as eligible for Federal Highway Administration or Federal Transit Administration funding and do not require further verification of eligibility.

For projects not in the STIP or TIP, additional documentation is required, including verification about whether the project can be added to the STIP or TIP in a reasonable timeframe, whether the project is on a long-range transportation plan, and verification of eligibility for the proposed activity under title 23 or chapter 53 of title 49 by the relevant federal agency.

Further, Member Designated Project contract authority will be available for obligation three years after the last day of the fiscal year for which the funds are authorized. Unless otherwise specified in federal law, the federal share allowable for projects is 80 percent of project cost. Project sponsors must demonstrate the ability to fully obligate any funds provided within the obligation window, and must demonstrate a proven ability to finance the remaining costs not funded by the Committee, as well as the required non-federal cost share.

Projects Requested

Listed below are the projects Congressman Cicilline has submitted to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. (Note: The projects are listed in alphabetical order by location of the project).

Project Name: RT-114, Wampanoag Trail (East Shore Expressway to Federal Road)
Project Location: RT-114, Wampanoag Trail from East Shore Expressway to Federal Road, in Barrington, Rhode Island 02915 and East Providence, RI 02806
Project Sponsor: Rhode Island Department of Transportation
Project Scope: Under STIP ID 1290, the project involves resurfacing to the roadway, complete sidewalk replacement and ADA curb ramp installation. Benefits include a complete streets approach to the pavement project, offering more amenities to all road users.
Request Amount: $5.92 million

Project Name: RT-122, Mendon Road (I-295 to Lincoln Town Line)
Project Location: RT-122, Mendon Road, from I-295 to the Lincoln Town Line in Cumberland, RI 02864
Project Sponsor: Rhode Island Department of Transportation
Project Scope: Under STIP ID 1318, this project will resurface the roadway, provide for limited sidewalk replacement, limited sidewalk extension and ADA ramp installation to improve accessibility. This roadway follows the Blackstone River and Blackstone River Bikeway and serves as a key linkage by which urban communities may access Interstate 295. Furthermore, this road also supports multiple bus stops for Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority (RIPTA) routes.
Request Amount: $4.32 million

Project Name: Pawtucket Avenue Veteran’s Memorial Parkway to Waterman Avenue
Project Location: Pawtucket Avenue, from Veteran’s Memorial Parkway to Waterman Avenue, East Providence, RI 02914
Project Sponsor: Rhode Island Department of Transportation
Project Scope: Under STIP ID 9525, this busy route to schools, shopping centers, and residential living centers will be paved and sidewalks replaced, including sidewalks used by have spoken for years of the need to replace sidewalks for students walking to nearby East Providence High School and the Bayside Stadium. The road is an important connector for many city residents and serves as a main artery to nearby I-195. 
Request Amount: $5.6 million

Project Name: School Street (RT-126 to Main Street)
Project Location: School Street, from RT-126 to Main Street, in Lincoln, RI 02865
Project Sponsor: Rhode Island Department of Transportation
Project Scope: Under STIP ID 1347, this project involves reconstruction of pavement on the roadway, full sidewalk replacement and ADA curb ramp installation. This area supports a variety of outdoor recreational activities ranging from local parks to the Blackstone River Bikeway. The roadway and its intersections are in significant need of repair and improvements to safety, while the preservation of the culturally significant Albion Beacon is of key interest to the Town of Lincoln.
Request Amount: $2.4 million

Project Name: RT-138A, Aquidneck Avenue (East Main Road to Green End Avenue)
Project Location: RT-138A, Aquidneck Avenue, from East Main Road to Green End Avenue, in Middletown, RI 02842
Project Sponsor: Rhode Island Department of Transportation
Project Scope: Under STIP ID 1355, the project involves resurfacing to the roadway, drainage improvements, and sidewalk and ramp improvements. This project would improve pedestrian safety along a key corridor linking beaches, commercial developments, and residential areas. Benefits include a complete streets approach to the pavement project, offering more amenities to all road users.
Request Amount: $8.8 million

Project Name: US-1 Pawtucket Avenue
Project Location: US-1, Pawtucket Avenue, from the Providence City line to Garden Street and Garden Street to Prospect Street, Along Division Street, in Pawtucket, RI, 02860
Project Sponsor: Rhode Island Department of Transportation
Project Scope: Under STIP ID 1306, this project starts with pavement resurfacing from Providence City Line to Garden Street, and adds bicycle enhancements (striping, signage) from Garden Lane to Prospect St, crossing Division St bridge and adding pedestrian safety elements.
Request Amount: $2.4 million

Project Name: RT-138, East Main Road (Hedley Street to Middletown Town Line)
Project Location: RT-138, East Main Road, from Hedley Street to the Middletown Town Line, in Portsmouth, RI 02871
Project Sponsor: Rhode Island Department of Transportation
Project Scope: Under STIP ID 1380, this project involves resurfacing the roadway on a major north-south route connecting the three communities on Aquidneck Island. This portion of East Main Road is well travelled every day, and handles fluctuating volumes throughout the year as beach traffic, tourists, and local residents alike use it to access key destinations all over Aquidneck Island. The pavement in this area has deteriorated, and must be resurfaced to ensure that a safe, stable riding surface is maintained.
Request Amount: $8 million

Project Name: East Main Road (Union Avenue to Sandy Point Avenue) – Safe Shared-Use Path
Project Location: East Main Road, from Union Avenue to Sandy Point Avenue, in Portsmouth, RI 02871
Project Sponsor: Rhode Island Department of Transportation
Project Scope: Under STIP ID 9005, this project proposes to build an important half-mile section of a shared-use path along East Main Road (RT 138) between Union and Sandy Point Avenues in Portsmouth, RI. It is part of a longer path that is on the State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) since it was ratified in 2017. The project promotes safety, healthy recreation, environmental protection, and the local economy.
Request Amount: $240,000

Project Name: Repairs to RIPTA Operations Facility
Project Location: 269 Melrose Street, Providence RI 02907
Project Sponsor: Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA)
Project Scope: This project is included under STIP ID 7011 (repairs to Admin/Maintenance facilities). The project operation and bus storage facility at 269 Melrose Street in Providence, RI. Repairs will include the replacement of garage doors, the trench drain system, and will also include minor improvements to walkways. RIPTA would also like to renovate the drivers lounge and other support spaces within the building will improve the function and safety RIPTA’s main operations facility and bring it into a state of good repair.
Request Amount: $1.6 million

Project Name: RT-116, Smith Avenue (Orchard Avenue to US-44, Putnam Pike)
Project Location: RT-116, from Orchard Avenue to US-44, Putnam Pike, in Smithfield, RI 02828
Project Sponsor: Rhode Island Department of Transportation
Project Scope: Under STIP ID 9535, this project will provide for a mill and overlay of the roadway with improvements to ADA curb ramps. Drainage improvements may be provided for as needed to ensure the continued health of the adjacent Slack Reservoir. This roadway links multiple neighborhoods in Greenville with commercial centers along the adjacent US-44 highway.
Request Amount: $1.5 million

Project Name: RT-104, Farnum Pike and Waterman Avenue (RT-116 to RT-15)
Project Location: RT-104, from RT-116 to RT-15, in Smithfield, RI, and North Providence, RI encompassing zip codes 02828, 02917, and 02911
Project Sponsor: Rhode Island Department of Transportation
Project Scope: Under STIP ID 1394, this project involves resurfacing the roadway, limited sidewalk replacement, and ADA curb ramp installation along RT-104 in the Towns of North Providence and Smithfield. An essential route linking northern Rhode Island to Providence and the urban core, RI-104 connects residential areas, commercial districts, interstate highways, and scenic trails. This project would bring the RT-104 corridor up to a state of good repair. The pavement in this area is in poor condition, and must be resurfaced to avoid a more costly, full-depth replacement of the road in the future.
Request Amount: $8 million

Project Name: Highland Road (RT-77 to RT-77) and Bridgeport Road (RT-77 to Highland Road).
Project Location: Highland Road, from RT-77 to RT-77, and Bridgeport Road, from RT-77 to Highland Road, in Tiverton, RI 02878
Project Sponsor: Rhode Island Department of Transportation
Project Scope: Under STIP ID 1404, this project involves resurfacing the roadway on one of the most important routes for the Town of Tiverton. Bridgeport and Highland roads connect the neighborhoods of central Tiverton to RT-24, RT-138, the Main Road, and key recreational areas including Nannaquaket Pond, the Sakonnet River, and Mount Hope Bay. The pavement in this area has deteriorated, and must be resurfaced to ensure that all local residents maintain access to these areas, and to allow Highland Road to be used as a detour route during the future resurfacing of Main Road.
Request Amount: $1.78 million

Project Name: Hope and Main Street Sidewalks
Project Location: Main Street, Warren, RI 02885 and Hope Street, Bristol, RI 02809
Project Sponsor: Rhode Island Department of Transportation
Project Scope: Under STIP ID 1300, this project will enhance pedestrian access to historic and scenic downtown districts, the East Bay Bike Path, and multiple state and local parks along the route by repairing and replacing existing sidewalks. These improvements will retain the historic character of these neighborhoods while creating streets that are more accessible to pedestrians and all road users. The Bristol section of the limits, from Washington Street to the Warren Town Line, is a component of the recently designated Revolutionary Heritage Byway on the list of National Scenic Byways.
Request Amount: $8 million