The Municipal Road Grant Program is administered by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT). The program was created by Governor McKee and enacted by the General Assembly in 2023 for the 2024 State Fiscal Year. Now in its third year, the program has provided a total of $33.5 million of state funds to be matched by local cities and towns. In just the first two years of the program, the combined state and local investment is nearly $110 million.
The program provides funding to municipalities for the construction and maintenance of roads, sidewalks, and bridges. To be considered for funding, bridges must be on a local public way and must be on the State Bridge Inventory.
All municipalities are eligible for funding under this program. Program funding, for those municipalities that participate, consists of a 67 percent local contribution with a 33 percent “match" provided by the state. For the 2026 State Fiscal Year, the first 25 percent of the state funding is distributed equally, with each municipality eligible for approximately $41,600. The remaining $4.9 million is distributed proportionately based on each municipality’s share of non-federally eligible lane miles.
Following submission of applications, RIDOT will evaluate proposed plans and provide assistance and support to ensure applications are complete and projects are finished on time. The application process will be completed through our application portal, where municipal representatives can outline project limits, provide relevant information, and certify match funds availability. Submission and deadline dates for SFY 2026 funded projects will be posted soon.
Can the municipalities utilize ARPA funds to support the 67% percent local contribution?
Yes, however, only funds under the Revenue Replacement expenditure category under the Local Fiscal Relief Fund (LFRF) allotment, not under any other expenditure category. If a municipality has spent all of its revenue replacement LFRF dollars, it cannot use any other LFRF dollars as a match; in this instance, matching funds would need to come from another source.
Are utility expenditures considered reimbursable?
No, all direct utility expenditures are non-reimbursable under the program. This includes, but is not limited to gas, water, sewer and electric.
Can citizens request a road to be paved or some other improvement be made with these funds?
No, all requests need to be made by city or town governments. We encourage individuals to contact their city or town council representative to inform them of road improvements they would like to see done.
Can a municipality sign a contract and award a PO before an application is approved by RIDOT?
Yes, but no expenditures incurred under the contract will be reimbursable until the application in the portal has been approved and the Local Public Agency Agreement has been executed.
Can the local match be in-kind, or does it have to be cash?
The program requires a cash match.
What does RIDOT need for proof of obligation?
A purchase order or orders equal to or greater than the amount provided to each municipality.
Yes, labor hours will need to be tracked and provided to RIDOT but will be considered as reimbursable provided they are directly applicable to an approved project and the costs were incurred after the application in the portal has been approved and the Local Public Agency Agreement has been executed.
If a municipality makes direct purchases for materials, are those costs reimbursable?
Yes, the costs will be eligible provided they are directly associated with an approved project and that the original procurement methodology is consistent with the state’s procurement policies and procedures. For most cases, this means an agreement that was competitively bid. Materials procured prior to the approval of a project application and execution of a Local Public Agency Agreement will not be reimbursable.
What are the deadlines for the SFY 2024 and SFY 2025 funded projects?
All projects must be complete by October 31, 2026 and final payments must be made by December 31, 2026.
What are the deadlines for the SFY 2026 funded projects?
The submission and deadline dates will be announced soon.