Rhode Island Officials Object to Trump Administration Block on Transportation Aid

State officials say the Trump administration is blocking billions of dollars in previously awarded federal transportation aid, including hundreds of millions planned for the Washington Bridge and other needs in Rhode Island.

“We don’t know the answer to the likelihood of getting it or not getting it,” House Speaker Joe Shekarchi said in an interview Monday, following an unrelated groundbreaking at Quonset Business Park during which he spoke with members of the state’s congressional delegation.

Over the weekend, Rhode Island’s two senators and two congressmen sent a joint letter objecting to how a recent directive by President Trump paused billions of dollars in previously awarded federal aid for transportation projects nationwide.

“In particular, we are alarmed that the Administration is blocking the release of over $600 million in competitive grant funding for more than ten Rhode Island transportation projects,” the delegation wrote in its letter to Matthew Vaeth, acting director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.

This story was reported by The Public’s Radio. You can read the entire story here.