Intermodal Planning is one of the busiest sections of RIDOT, taking the lead on major expansion of passenger rail service in Rhode Island with new stations planned in the next three years in Warwick and Wickford Junction. Beyond those high profile efforts, Intermodal Planning is the lead in a host of other projects, all having to do with alternative transportation projects or those making improvements to enhance our transportation system. These efforts fall into two major project categories, those called Enhancement Projects and those done under the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Program.
The growing momentum towards intermodal transportation must be sustained and cultivated as an underlying philosophy for establishing a well balanced transportation system in the state. Continued emphasis on modal diversification and intermodal linkages will strengthen the state’s transportation system, reduce pollution, and offer convenient, efficient, and enjoyable means for visitors to traverse the state.
Rhode Island recognizes the potential for commuter rail service to reduce congestion and improve mobility and has planned a 20-mile extension of commuter rail service from Boston south of Providence to Warwick and Wickford Junction through the South County Commuter Rail (SCCR) project. Extension of service to Wickford Junction represents the minimal operating segment of future Providence to Westerly service. SSCR service will operate as an extension of the existing Providence to Boston commuter rail service operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). Commencement of service to Warwick and Wickford is planned for mid-2010.
Planned Stations:
Groundbreaking has already taken place on the Warwick Intermodal Station which will provide a direct rail connection from T.F. Green State Airport in Warwick. This project includes the station, a consolidated rental car facility, a bus hub for local and intercity buses, a parking garage to accommodate both the rental car fleets (2,200 spaces) and commuter rail passengers (1,000 spaces).
A unique aspect of the project is a 1,250-foot, elevated, enclosed skywalk with moving sidewalks that will connect to the airport and to the station. When completed, the station will be the closest rail connection to a major airport terminal in the country. Additionally, this project will serve as the catalyst for economic growth in the city’s Warwick Station Redevelopment District. The proposed train station will be located on a former chemical distribution Brownfield site that continues to be cleaned up for future transportation use.
Seen here: An aerial view of the Warwick Station Redevelopment District with the train station and garage in the foreground and T.F. Green Airport’s main terminal in the background.
The site of the planned station is an undeveloped section of Wickford Junction Plaza on Ten Rod Road (Route 102) in North Kingstown near the intersection of Route 4. Wickford Junction Station is a critical component in the SCCR plan, providing 58 percent of the total projected commuter rail ridership. It is anticipated that the station will be built through a public-private partnership with an adjoining private developer and will consist of a parking garage with approximately 1,000 commuter spaces and 100 spaces for the adjacent mixed-use retail plaza.
RIDOT anticipates the start-up of a Phase II Study that will provide feasibility, operational and cost analysis for four future passenger rail stations,, two existing (Kingston and Westerly) and two proposed (Cranston and East Greenwich). Phase II service will build upon the 20-mile MBTA commuter rail extension from Providence to Wickford Junction, potentially extending service another 24 miles south to Westerly. Also, connections to Connecticut’s Shoreline East service will be explored.
Study Stations:
The Cranston Transit Station has emerged as one of the major concepts coming out of several public workshops in the development of an updated City Comprehensive Plan. The location chosen to study this topic is an under-utilized area about halfway between the Providence Station and the proposed commuter rail station at TF Green Airport in Warwick. This location is bounded by Park Ave to the north, Elmwood Ave to the east, Wellington Ave to the south and west and the Amtrak Northeast Corridor (NEC) bisecting the project area.
The East Greenwich Commuter Rail station has long been a vision for the Town of East Greenwich. The station would simultaneously fulfill two strategic goals for the town; the first being better public transit connections to the urban core of Rhode Island and the Boston region and the second being smart growth in a prime area for redevelopment within the town. By combining commuter rail development with redevelopment of vacant and underused land, a transit-oriented urban setting could be created in the town adjacent to its already urbanized core.
KingstonLocated 3 miles from University of Rhode Island (URI), this historic station was recently renovated by RIDOT in 1998. The station currently serves as an Amtrak station stop and as the trailhead for the South County Bike Trail. Recently, the station has experience a substantial increase in Amtrak ridership, demonstrating demand for more frequent and affordable commuter rail service.
The recently renovated historic Westerly Station is located near the Connecticut state line and serves as an Amtrak station stop. Strategically located, the existing station and immediate surroundings provide a unique opportunity to enhance development, including transit-orientated development (TOD), and will support rail service to Providence.
Washington County Transit-Orientated Development Planning Strategy
The City of Pawtucket, with its consultant Vanasse, Hangen, Brustlin (VHB), recently completed a study exploring the restoration of commuter rail service at Pawtucket/Central Falls.
The former station site consists of a historic station that has fallen into disrepair, where commuter rail service was dropped over 25 years ago. The station site is almost evenly divided between the cities of Pawtucket and Central Falls and Interstate 95 is ¾ mile to the east. The station site is bounded by Broad Street to the west, Barton Street to the south, Montgomery Street to the east and Clay Street to the north.
Pawtucket/Central Falls Commuter Rail Facility Feasibility and Site Analysis
Pawtucket/Central Falls Commuter Rail Transit-Orientated Development Report
Above, the former Pawtucket/Central Falls Station
More Information from the Pawtucket Foundation
This project explores ways that the underutilized Newport Secondary Rail right-of-way can be used to serve the transportation needs of Aquidneck Island and Tiverton.
A passenger rail study for a link from Woonsocket to Providence and Boston has been completed by the City of Woonsocket. RIDOT actively participated as a project stakeholder. The study focused on potential passenger rail between Woonsocket and Providence, including ridership demand and potential station sites.
Woonsocket Commuter Rail Feasibility Study
RIDOT completed a passenger survey of MBTA commuters at Providence and South Attleboro Stations during the Summer of 2008. The purpose of the survey was to find origins and destinations of RI commuters using the existing MTA service and if these passengers could be diverted to future stations at T.F. Green Airport in Warwick and Wickford Junction in North Kingstown as well as other potential future stations along the Northeast Corridor in Rhode Island.
In 1994, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation evaluated several abandoned and underutilized railroad rights-of-way for re-use as transit corridors. Based on ridership projections, environmental issues and cost estimates, the study determined the feasibility of implementing light rail, commuter rail and busway technology on each corridor.
Click here for executive summary
Transportation Enhancements are non-traditional transportation improvements with links to the intermodal transportation system. Enhancements serve to integrate a transportation facility into the surrounding community and natural environment. TEA-21 has established 12 categories under which projects may be considered for Transportation Enhancement funding.
CMAQ funding is focused on investment in air quality improvements; it provides funds for projects that expand or initiate transportation services with air quality benefits. This program was designed with flexible guidelines that allow the CMAQ Program to cut across traditional boundaries and encompass projects and programs dealing with highways, transit, and non-traditional areas, such as vehicle emission inspection and maintenance, traffic operations, to name just a few.
Commuter Resource RI
A free program, administered by Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) and funded by RIDOT’s CMAQ Program, Commuter Resource RI provides transportation information and services to Rhode Island corporations and employees in order to: reduce single occupant vehicle trips, increase high occupancy vehicle (HOV) commuting, reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality and maximize use of public transit.
For more information please visit: www.commuterresourceri.org or call 1-888-887-4782
Rhode Island has become a leader in providing bike paths, bike lanes and bike routes to its residents and visitors. Today there is nearly 50 miles of paved bike paths in Rhode Island and more than 40 miles of paths under design. Rhode Island will be the first state to have its portion of the East Coast Greenway completed. Also, Rhode Island is dedicated to improving pedestrian access in cities and towns statewide. Please visit our informative webpage dedicated to bicycling in the Ocean State. Downloadable bike path maps are available.
Visit Bike RI
Visit RI Greenway Alliance
Safe Routes to School is a RIDOT funded program designed to reach out to communities to develop programs and projects to promote walking to school. As a result of various state and local pilot programs over the last few years, federal legislation establishing Safe Routes to School programs in every state was passed. Eligible activities include:
Infrastructure projects that will substantially improve the ability of students to walk and bicycle to school. Examples include crosswalks, sidewalks and repairs, traffic calming, etc
Non-infrastructure related programs and activities to encourage walking and bicycling to school. Examples include: Traffic enforcement, "Walking School Buses", walking clubs, bike rodeos, etc.
Please visit Statewide Planning’s Safe Routes to School website for more information.
RIDOT is responsible for the funding of capital improvements of ferry terminal sites and operations of RIPTA’s Providence-Newport ferry service. Ferry Boat Discretionary (FBD) grants are available through an annual application process with the Federal Highway Administration.
Current projects include Galilee Terminal Improvements for the Block Island Ferry, RIPTA’s Providence Piers terminal and Pawtucket’s Town Landing Site, which is currently under design. Other Ferry Terminal Projects include the Newport Harbor Shuttle Project which will develop an inner-harbor service to various points of interest in Newport Harbor
Several year round and seasonal ferry services are operated in Rhode Island:
These services provide an alternative mode of transportation or provide the sole means of transportation. Future ferry services may include some type of cross-bay ferry service, perhaps from the Warwick area to the Bristol area (roughly halfway between the I-195 bridge in Providence and the Newport and Jamestown Bridges). RIPTA, as the operator of the Providence-Newport service, is coordinating this effort.
Intermodal Planning is responsible for the placement of new commuter Park & Ride locations. Working closely with RIPTA, new sites are evaluated based on highway proximity, environmental constraints, right-of-way and cost. The current 20 lots are monitored and evaluated on a regular basis to determine if expansion or an alternative site is warranted, or if closing is appropriate.
For Park & Ride service to Providence schedule information, visit RIPTA's Park & Ride site or call RIPTA at 781-9400 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Some of these intermodal hubs are full service centers that have been created or improved in recent years. Others on the list provide minimal facilities at present and require upgrading. New intermodal stations, particularly new rail stations, will be required to meet travel demand in the future.
Northern Rhode Island:
Woonsocket Depot – Woonsocket
Blackstone Valley Visitors’ Center – PawtucketMetro Rhode Island:
Amtrak Station -- Providence
Kennedy Plaza (major RIPTA hub) -- Providence
Point Street Landing -- Providence
T.F. Green Airport – WarwickEast Bay Rhode Island:
RIPTA hub (Ames Plaza), East Providence
Newport Gateway Visitors’ Center and Perrotti ParkSouthern Rhode Island:
Quonset Davisville -- North Kingstown
Kingston Station -- South Kingstown
RIPTA hub (Wakefield Mall) -- South Kingstown
Westerly Station -- Westerly
Port of Galilee -- Narragansett
Old Harbor -- Block Island
The Statewide Planning Program is the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the State of Rhode Island providing planning for the physical, economic and social development of the state.
Grow Smart Rhode Island is a statewide 501 ©(3) public interest group representing a broad coalition of partners fighting sprawl by promoting innovative policies and programs to revitalize city and town centers, preserve cultural and natural resources and expand economic opportunities throughout Rhode Island.
Greenways Alliance of Rhode Island (GARI) was founded in 1992 as the Rhode Island state committee of the East Coast Greenway Alliance (ECGA). The mission of the ECGA is to identify and support the completion of an off-road route for multi-purpose recreational use linking cities on the East Coast from Maine to Florida.
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) is a quasi-public, independent authority. Established in 1966, RIPTA is authorized to operate public transit services throughout the State of Rhode Island.
Friends of Kingston Station “Dedicated to Saving and Restoration of Kingston Station”
The Rhode Island Statewide Planning Program, in cooperation with other agencies, prepares a long-range (twenty plus years) transportation plan that is part of the State Guide Plan. The State Guide Plan is a collection of plans and policy documents adopted by the State Planning Council that addresses the social, economic and physical development of the state. The last transportation plan was adopted in 2004, for the year 2025. Federal regulations for ozone non-attainment areas, such as Rhode Island, require an update to the long range plan every four years. Therefore, in 2008, this Plan update was completed, and the planning horizon was extended to the year 2030. View Transportation 2030
For more information on Intermodal Planning, or to report or receive updated information, please email Daniel Webber at dwebber@dot.ri.gov.
