Voters approve $87M for roads, public transit

PROVIDENCE—Rhode Island voters have approved borrowing $87 million to fix highways and bridges, buy new buses and extend a commuter rail line.

The referendum question approved Tuesday makes the state eligible for $436 million in matching federal grants for transportation work.

A report earlier this year by The Road Information Program in Washington warned that Rhode Island faces a $2.8 billion repair bill over six years. State leaders are struggling to find the money necessary for transportation repairs.

About $480 million will be earmarked for road repairs. An additional $22 million will be used to buy new buses for the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, while $21 million will fund an extension of the commuter rail from Boston to Warwick and North Kingstown.

Election Returns: Rhode Island Ballot Questions