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Providence committee approves contract amendment to advance South Water Street Safe Streets project; cost and schedule discussed
Summary
The Providence City Finance Committee approved a change order and contract amendment to accelerate surveying and design for a redesign of South Water Street, expanding the project from an earlier $750,000 concept to an estimated $4.5 million scope; staff said work will use grant funds and aims to begin construction at the end of the 2025 season.
The Providence City Finance Committee on April 15 approved a change order and a contract amendment with Pool Design Group LLC to advance design and surveying work for a broader redesign of the South Water Street corridor.
Jessica, a staff member in the Department of Planning and Development, told the committee the project grew after community engagement and a decision to move beyond a $750,000 stripe-and-crosswalk plan into a larger redesign. "Where we are at right now is about 4 and a half million dollars," Jessica said, citing curb relocation and drainage work as the main drivers of the higher estimate. Staff said they will try to save existing trees, add landscaping and install raised crosswalks and flashing rapid beacons to improve pedestrian safety.
Committee members asked for specifics about funding and timeline. A committee member asked whether the amendment amount (referred to in the discussion as "$2.10") would come from the grant award or the city's capital improvement program. A staff director responded, "I believe it's coming from the grant funds right now that we have," and said the project relies on federal Safe Streets and Roads for All grant funding as well as local CIP funds. The staff presentation said the city is leveraging about $6.8 million from the CIP to access approximately $27 million in federal USDOT funds that back the Safe Streets program.
On schedule, staff said the amendment will allow surveys to be performed sooner so the project can reach 60% design and obtain required permits. If approved, survey work would get the city on surveyors' calendars and help secure CRMC and DEM permits. Staff said they aim to have survey work and design advance through mid-summer and to get "shovels in the ground starting at the end of the 2025 construction season," with the target of completing construction by "late summer next year" if weather and permitting allow.
Several council members expressed mixed views: some said they were initially skeptical about replacing a bike lane with an additional travel lane but said the revised design addressed concerns; others said they worried about spending city funds on one area when other parts of the city need repair. After discussion, a motion to approve the contract amendment was made and seconded. The chair called the voice vote in favor and the committee approved the change order to move the project forward.
Why it matters: The amendment accelerates survey and design work that staff said is needed to keep the Safe Streets grant schedule, secure federal approvals and position the project for construction. It expands the scope from a stripe-and-crosswalk concept to a corridor reconstruction that staff say will add protected bike facilities, raised crosswalks and improved drainage.
Next steps: Staff will proceed with survey work, seek required state and federal permits, and continue design to 60% with the goal of advancing to construction under the Safe Streets grant schedule.
