Today, Governor Raimondo outlined steps of the significant reorganization that the Rhode Island Department of Transportation is taking to deliver high-quality results and make government operate at the speed of business.
Overview: We need to stop managing a decline.
For far too long, RIDOT has been managing a decline:
- We have the worst bridges in the country, they're ranked 50th out of 50 states:1 out of 5 Rhode Island bridges is structurally deficient.
- The condition of our roads ranks 2nd worst nationwide.
- Our stormwater drainage systems are not maintained, and do not meet state and federal regulations.
- We are facing several unresolved legal issues stemming from prior management of ongoing projects and agreements.
How We Move Forward: The Solutions
RIDOT is implementing changes after a 6-month detailed review of operations, and on the heels of legislation signed into law this June to enable a significant reorganization of RIDOT.
Develop a 10-year plan with project prioritization based on asset protection:
-
- RIDOT produced a 10-year plan earlier this year - this plan includes the reconstruction of 150 structurally deficient bridges, and would also prevent another 500 from falling into disrepair.
- RIDOT will submit the plan as Rhode Island's Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan to the State Planning Council this fall. The 10-year plan should be updated every year.
- A long-term plan will help reduce unnecessary design costs, focus more funding on construction, and save taxpayers money by prioritizing maintenance and infrastructure renewal.
Build a culture of accountability
-
- Project Managers for every project.
- Budgets and schedules for every project.
- Performance Assessments for Management.
- These changes will increase accountability and improve project delivery.
Adopt industry best practices
-
- Implement cash flow management - these practices have already enabled RIDOT to put out $40 million in additional projects for bid this year alone, a 30 percent increase.
- Increase in-house maintenance levels to prevent infrastructure from falling into disrepair - in fact, 40 new maintenance jobs are already being created by eliminating funded, but vacant, administrative positions.
- Improve procurement process - no projects will go out to design that are not funded.
- These changes will reduce unnecessary administrative costs, make more money available for construction projects, and accelerate project delivery.
Create a predictable, reliable source of funding
-
- With RhodeWorks, we can invest an additional $1 billion and bring our bridges to 90% sufficiency in 10 years.
