SMITHFIELD – Smithfield’s General Assembly delegation, including Sen. David Tikoian, Rep. Gregory Costantino, and Rep. Paul Santucci say they have successfully petitioned the Rhode Island Department of Transportation to mill and repave a badly deteriorated portion of Route 44 from Austin Avenue to Pleasant View Avenue.
RIDOT officials informed the three this month that the purchase order for the paving of Putnam Pike in front of Smithfield Fire Department’s Station 1 was finally approved.
The contractor, JR Vinagro is tentatively scheduled mill and pave the half-mile stretch of roadway during the last week of the month and have it completed by the first week of October.
Smithfield’s General Assembly delegation worked in collaboration with Town Manager Robert Seltzer, Fire Chief Derek Keen, and the Town Council to ensure this badly deteriorated portion of Putnam Pike will be repaired, said lawmakers.
“An approximately half-mile stretch, or 5,601 square yards of roadway, will be resurfaced using state funding,” said Tikoian in a release. “There are more areas of Putnam Pike that also need attention, however, this area was prioritized due to the severe degradation of the road surface directly in front of Station 1, which was adversely affecting rescue and fire apparatus deploying from the firehouse. I want to personally thank RIDOT, Acting Director Robert Rocchio and his staff for accommodating this request and facilitating the work order.”
