Raimondo: Study says RhodeWorks ‘smart approach’ to fixing state’s infrastructure

PROVIDENCE – A study commissioned by the state to gauge the economic impact of the RhodeWorks bridge and highway improvement plan reports it increases the state’s gross domestic product by $538 million and will create as many as 6,487 jobs.
The report, released Thursday by Gov. Gina M. Raimondo and Director Jonathan Womer of the Office of Management and Budget, was prepared by Regional Economics Models Inc., an economic analysis consultant in Amherst, Mass.
The report examined eight scenarios over an 11-year period based on different financing plans, including the highway tolls plan proposed by Raimondo, a combination of tolls and an increase in the state gasoline and diesel tax, and whether the federal government approves $400 million for reconstruction of the Route 6/Route 10 connector.
According to a news release, the RhodeWorks plan, financed exclusively with truck tolls, and including the Route 6/10 project, would generate 6,487 new jobs, and create $521 million in personal income across the state.
The gas tax-funded scenario would create more jobs, but less disposable personal income because of the increased taxation, according to the release.
Raimondo said the study confirms RhodeWorks is a “smart approach” to fixing the state’s infrastructure.
“Rhode Island cannot afford to sit on the sidelines while our infrastructure continues to deteriorate,” she said, in a statement.

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  1. Just put truck stops on I-195, I-295 and I-95 and reduce the gasoline and diesel tax to 20 cents per gallon. Because of the low fuel price, many truck drivers passing through Rhode Island would stop for fuel and many drivers from Massachusetts and Connecticut would buy their fuel in Rhode Island. The number of gallons of fuel sold each year would more than triple which would raise more than 300 million dollars each year to repair Rhode Island’s bridges and roads.