PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Island has won a $251 million federal grant to repair 15 bridges along the I-95 corridor in Providence and Cranston, the state’s congressional delegation announced Friday.

The money from the federal Bridge Investment Program — established under the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law — is separate from the state’s request for a $221 million federal “Mega” grant to help pay for the new westbound Washington Bridge. That request is pending.

Separately, Massachusetts officials announced Friday that the Bay State is being awarded nearly $1 billion to repair the Cape Cod bridges, also funded by the Bridge Investment Program.

The 15 bridges that will be tackled in Rhode Island stretch from Eddy Street in Providence south to Pettaconsett Avenue in Cranston, according to the application submitted last year by the R.I. Department of Transportation. Some are also located on Route 10.

The entire cost of the project is estimated at $723 million.

In a joint statement, the four Democrats who represent Rhode Island in Congress — U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, and Congressmen Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo — hailed the funding as “a win for the state, commuters, and taxpayers everywhere.”

“This is a smart investment that will help make needed repairs to improve safety, efficiency, reliability, and longevity for these bridges,” they said. “We appreciate the leadership of President Joe Biden and Secretary Pete Buttigieg to make it happen.”

Ted Nesi ( tnesi@wpri.com ) is a Target 12 investigative reporter and 12 News politics/business editor. He co-hosts Newsmakers and writes Nesi’s Notes on Saturdays. Connect with him on Twitter , Threads and Facebook .

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