02/21/2013
Today's 2013 Report Card Success Story comes from Rhode Island: The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) opened the Wickford Junction Train Station in North Kingstown to the public for commuter rail service earlier in 2012. RIDOT built the station to provide increased transportation options in response to increasing traffic congestion. The new service provides 20 trips per day between Providence and Boston.
State officials believe the continuation of commuter rail into North Kingstown will bring much-needed congestion relief to the heavily traveled South County corridor.
The project was RIDOT’s very first design/build contract, using only one team to design and build the job, resulting in a greatly reduced timetable for the project. The project came in months ahead of schedule and under budget. It was expected to cost $47.9 million, but only cost $43.4 million—saving the state of Rhode Island $4.5 million. [Photo Courtesy RI DOT]
