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Pawtucket Secures $3 Million for Road Infrastructure Improvements

Road construction is underway in Pawtucket to enhance infrastructure and safety.

News Summary

Pawtucket has been allocated $3 million from the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank for crucial road and bridge improvements, part of a $5.8 million funding effort shared with Bristol. The city aims to enhance its aging infrastructure, having repaved over 150 miles in the past 15 years. Additionally, two new speed cameras have been installed to improve traffic safety and increase revenue from violations. The city is also developing plans to further enhance pedestrian and cyclist safety and reduce traffic fatalities.

Pawtucket, Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank has finalized Municipal Road and Bridge Revolving Fund loans amounting to $5.8 million for improvements in Pawtucket and Bristol. Of this total, $3 million is allocated for Pawtucket, while $2.8 million is designated for Bristol. These funds are earmarked for essential road resurfacing, paving, and maintenance work, addressing critical needs in both communities.

Investment in Road Infrastructure

Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien highlighted the upgrade of the city’s aging road infrastructure as a top priority. The city has undertaken significant efforts in this regard, having repaved over 150 miles of roads in the past 15 years. Mayor Grebien expressed gratitude towards the Infrastructure Bank for its ongoing support and financing of road infrastructure projects.

Speed Camera Updates

In addition to road funding, Pawtucket has recently installed two new speed cameras on Central Avenue, near the Darlington Congregational Church. This move is part of a broader initiative to enhance traffic safety within the city. In May 2025 alone, Pawtucket collected $401,234 in fines from school zone speed cameras, significantly surpassing the $158,788 generated from red light camera violations during the same month. The revenues from these camera programs totaled $5.09 million over the past 13 months, contributing substantially to the city’s budget.

Impact of Cameras on Revenue

The increased revenue can be attributed in part to the introduction of the new cameras, which city officials hope will combat a trend of decreasing ticket numbers as drivers become accustomed to existing enforcement measures. The school’s zone speed camera operation is set to resume ticketing on the first day of school, August 27, 2025. To date, Pawtucket has issued a total of 29,000 speeding tickets in 2025, with fines structured at $50 for school zone violations and $85 for red light infractions. The school zone cameras operate Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. during school sessions.

Traffic Safety Measures

Pawtucket continues to face challenges concerning traffic safety, having recorded 2,977 crashes resulting in injuries or fatalities from 2019 to 2023. A significant number of these incidents involved pedestrians and bicyclists. In response to growing safety concerns, the city is developing the “Walk Bike Pawtucket Central Falls Plan,” which aims to enhance pedestrian and cyclist safety by reducing vehicle speeds and improving road infrastructure.

Future Safety Initiatives

Additionally, the city is laying the groundwork for a new safety action plan that is grounded in Vision Zero principles. This initiative seeks to significantly reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries by improving road design and infrastructure throughout Pawtucket. These overarching efforts demonstrate the city’s commitment to enhancing road safety and ensuring the welfare of all community members.