RIPEC: RhodeWorks Focus on Bridges left High Debt Burden, Roads Worst in Nation. Time to Rebalance.

RIPEC recommends rebalancing investments, increasing routine maintenance, and more dedicated state revenues

Rhode Island’s transportation priorities over the past decade were largely shaped by the RhodeWorks initiative, which committed substantial capital resources to bridge reconstruction and address conditions that were the worst in the country and subject to federal penalties.

“The RhodeWorks program was successful in reducing the number of bridges rated in poor condition by nearly half,” said RIPEC President & CEO Michael DiBiase. “However, this focus came with significant trade-offs—more debt, less funding for roads and maintenance, and arterial state roads ranked worst in the country.”

The report notes that Rhode Island’s financing model has become increasingly strained due in part to high borrowing costs and the 2022 court ruling invalidating commercial truck tolls. Replacement of the Washington Bridge—now estimated to cost $572.1 million—places further pressure on transportation financing. While the state utilized one-time general revenue and capital transfers to meet federal matching requirements in recent years, there is a $279 million projected shortfall in state revenues required to access future federal funding.

“Rhode Island should pursue a more balanced approach to its transportation investments going forward: less reliance on debt, more dedicated state revenues, and more investments in roads,” said DiBiase. “Currently, debt service, administration, and soft costs make up 44 percent of state-generated transportation revenues, leaving fewer resources for on-the-ground road and bridge work.”

RIPEC’s report found that state spending has been dominated by large-scale replacement projects rather than routine maintenance like pavement resurfacing, crack sealing, and drainage clearing—a pattern that Rhode Island’s ten-year transportation plan is set to continue.

“Routine maintenance has to become a much higher priority,” DiBiase added. “While the state has focused heavily on major capital construction, it needs to do a far better job of preserving and maintaining these assets once built.”

Key Findings Highlighted in the Report

• Rhode Island’s capital spending on roads and bridges between FY 2020 and FY 2024— 15th highest nationally and more than twice the U.S. average on a per capita basis and third highest in spending per lane-mile.
• Rhode Island directed half of capital outlays to bridges between FY 2020 an FY 2024—ranking first nationally and over seven times the U.S. average). Roadway spending accounted for just 31% of capital spending, lower than any other state.
• Rhode Island had the nation’s highest capital-to-maintenance imbalance, spending $8.40 on capital for every $1.00 on routine maintenance—more than 2.5 times the U.S. average.
• Debt service accounted for 15% of spending between FY 2020 and FY 2024 and ranked first nationally in debt spending per capita.
• Between 2016 and 2024, bridge deck rated in Poor condition fell from 24% to 15% (but still ranked 49th nationally), while 66% was rated Fair (ranked first) and 19% was rated Good (ranked 49th).
• Rhode Island’s interstate highway pavement conditions held a middling rank nationally (27th), but state-maintained non-interstate arterial routes ranked worst in the nation (50th.
• In its ten-year transportation plan, the state projects a $7.56-to-$1.00 capital-to-maintenance imbalance while allocating nearly double the capital funding to bridges as to roadways.

• Rebalance capital and maintenance spending
• Prioritize resurfacing on non-interstate state routes
• Develop a dedicated state matching mechanism
• Limit future debt issuance

Find the full report here.