PROVIDENCE, RI Heavy machinery stood ready at the intersection of Anthony and Cranston Streets as Mayor David N. Cicilline, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), and Public Works Director John Nickelson announced details of a 15 mile road improvement project for Providences neighborhoods. The roadwork will include asphalt repaving, sidewalk repair, traffic signal rehabilitation, sign replacement, striping and the construction of wheelchair accessible curbs where needed. Ensuring that we have good, well maintained roads is an important part of our efforts to improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods, said Mayor Cicilline. I want to thank Senator Jack Reed for bringing critical federal resources to Providence that will enable us to make long-overdue improvements to our city roads. The $5 million project is being funded through a $286 billion, 2005 transportation bill, which included $1.2 billion for Rhode Island infrastructure and mass-transit improvements. Senator Reed, who is a member of the Senate-House conference committee that negotiated the final bill, and is a ranking member of the Senate Transit Subcommittee secured the federal dollars for Providence.I am proud to have helped the Mayor secure this important federal funding to repair and repave many of our well-worn roadways," said Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate subcommittee that oversees mass transit programs. This $5 million will enhance road safety and reduce wear and tear on people's cars. By investing in better roads we can improve the city's traffic flow and keep Providence moving forward. The city is conducting the work in a needs-based manner, according to Mayor Cicilline, with the initial phase of the project encompassing Cranston Street (between Huntington Avenue and Winter Street), Eddy Street (between Broad and Thurbers Avenue), and West River Street (between Charles and Corliss Streets). The second phase, which is scheduled to begin within the next couple of weeks, will include work on Hawkins Street (from Branch Avenue to the North Providence line), Hope Street (between 5th Street and Lloyd Avenue) and Woodward Road (from Branch Avenue to the North Providence line).The priorities are based on studies conducted by the DPW in conjunction with ProvStat (in identifying road hazards and potholes on a per-mile basis), recommendations from the Rhode Island Department of Transportation in their Transportation Improvement Plan and other evidence.