Good infrastructure is among the key elements that contribute to a high quality of life. From our roads, bridges, ports, and rail, which impact our ability to move people and cargo; to our drinking water and wastewater, which impact the health of our residents and businesses; to our energy sources, which power our daily lives – Rhode Island’s infrastructure is essential to supporting the needs of those who call it home or are welcomed to its shores. While many Rhode Islanders might not think about infrastructure every day, Rhode Island’s civil engineers do! We work hard to build and maintain our infrastructure systems for the public’s health, safety, and welfare. As a state with a significant coastline, Rhode Island must adequately invest in its critical infrastructure, such as wastewater facilities, drinking water systems, and port structures, to ensure they can protect the natural environment and withstand sea-level rise and impacts from extreme weather events. In addition, Rhode Island has been challenged by underinvestment in roads and bridges, leading to structural deficiencies. However, leaders in the state are addressing these challenges head-on, by prioritizing investment in roads and bridges to improve safety and reliability. Beyond mitigation, Rhode Island looks to the future by proactively improving its rail systems and maintaining its leadership in the growing renewable energy industry.
The 2020 Report Card for Rhode Island’s Infrastructure was developed to inform citizens and policymakers of the status and needs of seven categories of Rhode Island’s Infrastructure.
Click here to read the executive summary.
Rhode Island is home to the highest percentage of structurally deficient (SD) bridges in the country. In 2019, 22.3 % of bridges were structurally deficient and Rhode Island residents and out-of-state drivers crossed these bridges a combined average of nearly four million times a day. In an effort to reverse decades of underinvestment, the state established a sweeping program, RhodeWorks, designed to make significant upfront investments in road and bridge infrastructure. The program is funded through a combination of new truck tolls and innovative financing tools. By utilizing an asset management approach that includes condition reports and life cycle forecasting, RIDOT is prioritizing improvements and updating the department’s inventory to a state of good repair. Modest progress has been observed during the first three years of the program; the number of SD bridges decreased from 192 in 2016 to 174 in 2019.
Over the years, Rhode Island’s largest water utility has increased capital spending to rehabilitate its water mains, reduce the risk of pipe leakage and contamination, and ensure that safe, high-quality drinking water is distributed to its customers. Utilities in the state have adopted innovative asset management technology to detect structural leaks and make repairs, saving both time and money. Despite these strategic investments, several infrastructure challenges remain. Lead connection pipes remain in service on many private properties. Providence Water has several programs to address lead service connections including testing, financing for replacement, and treatment to prevent leaching.
As a state with significant coastline, Rhode Island is particularly vulnerable to the impacts associated with climate change, including sea level rise and the growing frequency and severity of significant weather events. To increase resiliency and promote asset conservation, the state conducted an extensive assessment of the vulnerability of its water supply structures to environmental stressors and identified steps to mitigate impacts.
The energy story in Rhode Island is one of legacy and innovation. Forty-four percent of Rhode Island’s gas lines are over 50 years old, ranking the network as the fourth oldest in the country. However, infrastructure owners, including National Grid, are making improvements and closely monitoring older infrastructure. Electric rates remain high – currently 20 cents per kWh –driven up by the regional supply of natural gas which has been limited by pipeline capacity and major plant closures within New England. However, the state is committed to reigning in costs. Rhode Island is tied with Vermont for the third most energy efficient state in the country, according to a recent report. Most notably, Rhode Island is nationally recognized as a leader in renewable energy. Home to the country’s first operational offshore wind farm, the Ocean State is repositioning to capture its own energy rather than relying on imported natural gas.
Rhode Island’s seaports, terminals, and working waterfronts support a wide range of activities, including cargo movement, ferry boat operations, commercial fishing fleets, and pleasure cruises. The Narragansett Bay is home to the Port of Providence, the Port of Davisville, the Tiverton Marine Terminal, and Newport Harbor, providing access to the Atlantic Ocean and the Block Island Sound, while the Port of Galilee is located on the Block Island Sound. Ongoing investment is necessary to upgrade outdated infrastructure, plan for future growth, and protect facilities against sea level rise. State residents recognize the economic significance of these seaports and have approved bond measures to support upgrades, capacity expansions, and increased land development, including projects that increase access along departure roads to support reliable cargo movement.
Rhode Island’s railroads date back to the mid-19th Century, but recent improvements have ensured the system will remain a vital backbone for the state well into the future. In recent years, Rhode Island has seen high speed rail, extended commuter service, and revitalization of historic freight lines. Automobile deliveries to Quonset Point have continued to set records, with 34,550 vehicles arriving by rail in 2019, making them the most carried freight. Other industries that benefit from the rail as a cost effective and energy efficient transportation option are plastics, lumber, metals, and seafood. Ridership has increased modestly with trip incentives, updated facilities, and more capacity coming online. While the Freight Line Improvement Plan has been implemented to reduce congestion and eliminate height and weight restrictions throughout the state, bottlenecks still exist. In general, however, Rhode Island’s rail infrastructure is meeting current needs and is well positioned to handle increased demand.
For many years, roadways in Rhode Island suffered from chronic underinvestment, and the maintenance backlog grew. Fortunately, Rhode Island significantly increased investment in its roads beginning in 2016 in an effort to improve safety, travel time reliability, and to reduce congestion. The state has pledged $5 billion through its RhodeWorks program to bring transportation infrastructure into a state of good repair by 2025. The Ocean State has also incorporated considerations for climate change into its planning efforts. Despite increased funding, there continues to be an investment gap for road and highway improvements – a problem shared by many states. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) has identified more than $378 million in unfunded pavement maintenance and reconstruction needs. Rhode Island’s share of rural roads in poor condition is ranked as the highest in the nation.
Most of Rhode Island relies on municipal wastewater treatment plants for sewage disposal. Routine maintenance and upgrades have protected outdated facilities from falling into disrepair, but many of the pipelines are in need of renewal and replacement. Over the last two decades, Rhode Island’s primary wastewater facility has been working towards a 40-year construction project to abate pollution associated with wastewater discharges. Focused efforts on water quality monitoring and infrastructure maintenance have prevented further degradation of Rhode Island’s waterways. However, there remains more than $1.8 billion needed in the wastewater sector for infrastructure investments and operational improvements. Additionally, impact studies reveal wastewater plants across the state will need infrastructure improvements in order to withstand increased flooding due to climate change. Specifically, substantial investments will be needed to ensure Rhode Island’s 19 municipally-owned treatment facilities can withstand elevated water levels.
A: EXCEPTIONAL, B: GOOD, C: MEDIOCRE, D: POOR, F: FAILING
Each category was evaluated on the basis of capacity, condition, funding, future need, operation and maintenance, public safety, resilience, and innovation
Aviation
1 major airport
Drinking Water
$1.8 billion total drinking water need
Transit
8 million passenger trips across 2 systems in 2021
Bridges
779 bridges, 17.5% of which were structurally deficient in 2021
Hazardous Waste
13 Superfund sites
Wastewater
$1.9 billion total wastewater need
Dams
95 high hazard dams
Levees
4 miles of levees protect $4 billion of property
Roads
75% of roads are in poor or fair condition
Smart investment will only be possible with strong leadership, decisive action, and a clear vision for our nation’s infrastructure.
If the United States is serious about achieving an infrastructure system fit for the future some specific steps must be taken, beginning with increased, long-term, consistent investment.
We must utilize new approaches, materials, and technologies to ensure our infrastructure can withstand or quickly recover from natural or man-made hazards.
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