Sen. Da Ponte writes to DOT Director Alviti and EP City Manager Chapman regarding new bridge construction projects

State House – Sen. Daniel Da Ponte (D-Dist. 14, East Providence) has written to RI Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti and East Providence City Manager Timothy Chapman requesting that the safety fencing being installed on several new bridge projects in East Providence be the black iron fencing used in other communities across Rhode Island.

“With the amount of money the taxpayers are spending on these projects, it is critical that East Providence gets the same treatment as other municipalities by using aesthetically pleasing fencing on our bridges. We pay the same amount in taxes to the state and East Providence residents deserve to be treated fairly by DOT. We are not asking for the world, just the same black iron safety fencing that the rest of the state gets to enjoy,” said Senator Da Ponte.

Senator Da Ponte is referring to the new bridge construction projects that pass over I-195 on Potter Street, Purchase Street and Lyon Avenue. He has previously questioned Director Alviti about why substandard materials were being used on a previous I-195 overpass construction project in East Providence compared to other DOT projects across the state. Specifically, Senator Da Ponte questioned why the safety fencing being installed was different than the black iron fencing used in other communities across Rhode Island.