RIDOT Convenes Roundtable Discussion on Pothole Repairs

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), in partnership with the URI Transportation Center, will host a roundtable discussion with municipal leaders on pothole repair Thursday. The goal of the meeting is to discuss potential collaborations that will help expedite roadway repairs throughout Rhode Island.

"My administration is committed to working collaboratively with cities and towns to address critical infrastructure needs," Governor Gina Raimondo said. "The condition of our state's transportation system affects Rhode Islanders' quality of life and can have far-reaching effects on our economy. We need to improve our roads, and tomorrow's roundtable is another step in that direction."

"This meeting presents a unique opportunity for us to step back and take a global look at how we address the challenge of potholes as a state," RIDOT Director Peter Alviti Jr. said. "The public isn't concerned with whether it's a state or a local road; they just see a road.  We owe it to them to do whatever we can to keep this critical infrastructure in good condition." 

Karl Wadensten of Rhode Island-based VIBCO Vibrators will join the discussion.  VIBCO produces machines that compact the material used to fill potholes.  By creating an inventory of locally available equipment, the state can better assist cities and towns in deploying existing resources and addressing badly damaged areas.

Thursday's meeting is part of a larger initiative at RIDOT to work with municipalities following a severe winter that accelerated the decline of many of the state's roadways. The Department has already begun compiling an inventory of roads that need immediate attention and is reaching out to the respective communities with the goal of working together on near-term repair projects.