Rhode Island lawmakers approve creation of $28 million state transportation fund

Rhode Island will have a dedicated transportation fund starting next month. The state’s House Finance Committee on Thursday night approved a plan to create a $28 million transportation infrastructure fund by diverting money from the state’s general fund starting July 1, the Providence Journal reports. The plan will shift those funds by raising motor-vehicle inspection fees by $16, increasing motorist court fee costs by $25 and moving revenue from existing rental car surcharge and motor vehicle title fees. The fees are expected to add tens of millions of dollars to the transportation fund. A 1-cent gas tax increase, set to begin July 1, 2015, would add another $1.4 million to the fund in 2016. The fuel tax hike, the report notes, will be indexed to inflation and will rise every two years. The plan is included in the state budget, which also ends tolls on the Sakonnet Bridge 

Driveway Paving

Driveway Paving

You got to consider the fact that driveway paving is not as simple as browsing the online yellow pages, and calling a few of the neighboring paving companies, asking them to give quotes and just picking up the cheapest driveway pavingcontractor. Definitely, there’s nothing bad in getting quotes, but the challenge is in assuring that you get what you’re paying for. As for an instance, you need to have solid prep work to ensure that you've got a durable and longer lasting paving eventually.

It’s also important that the contractor digs down to the right depth and gets rid of the soil and clay – if necessary. And these things need to be done before you lay those sub beds properly crushed stone aggregate (which typically range between 3 and 6 inches). Nevertheless, your sub-base has to be sufficiently smooth and rugged. You also need to pay some attention to the drainage grade. Among all other things, things must be done right regarding pour the heated mix of asphalt on a properly set base.

If this base, for instance, is set improperly (some people do it like that to save a few dollars here), this will considerably shorten the total lifetime of the paved driveway. Some people end up feeling sorry in the long run for having cracks or unevenness a couple of years following the ‘cheap’ driveway paving. For your information, it’s quite expensive to take out asphalt for a repair of your driveway.

High-class driveway paving would last well over a decade and should require minimal maintenance (e.g sealing). Though the lifetime of a driveway paving will tend to differ depending on the climatic conditions and overall usage, but still you would want to make the most out of your sub-base prep work. Yet another factor to consider here is the cost, overall durability and the ultimate thickness of the underlying asphalt layer.

Driveway Paving – What You See Isn't What You Get

If you ever thought what you’re seeing is what you’ll get – think again! If you want your driveway well done, make sure that the compacted, finished asphalt is 2-inch thick as a minimum. Additionally, ensure that your driveway paving contractors has specified the driveway’s “compacted thickness” in their quote, so can avoid confusion. A lot of people don’t realize that loose and hot mix of asphalt thickness is much greater compared to the compacted one. If you would like to have a superb and durable finish, you must request a 2-inch compacted hot-mix of asphalt base, which should be ideally followed by another 1.5-inch top course.

We Uno Paving don't hide anything from our customers,with more than 25 years in the asphalt industry our first goal is quality and a happy customer.We will find the best options in the market for the job.

Can asphalt paving be done in the rain?

Asphalt paving cannot be completed while it is raining. Paving must also be delayed if it has rained recently enough for the ground to still be wet.

While paving companies would like to be able to complete jobs during any weather conditions, asphalt is made of a mixture that contains oils. These oils repel water, and laying asphalt while it is actively raining will cause unintended results that affect the quality of the project.

The repelling of oil from water means that cracks or holes may form in asphalt that is laid during rainy weather. These cracks can quickly turn into potholes, and it is even possible for potholes to form when asphalt is laid on wet ground after it has stopped raining.

The damage and quality concerns related to laying asphalt in wet conditions can be observed immediately. The oil that separates from the asphalt as it repels water will rise to the top of the newly surfaced road or parking lot. Craters may form if it is raining immediately after the asphalt has been laid.

America's Top 10 Beaches

1-Duke Kahanamoku Beach in Honolulu, a well-groomed crescent of blond sand and palm trees near the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, beat out more than 600 other beaches for the distinction

2. Barefoot Beach, Bonita Springs, Florida

3. St. George Island State Park, Florida Panhandle

4. Waimanalo Bay Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii

5. Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii

6. Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks of North Carolina

7. Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Florida

8. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

9. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina

10. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Naples, Florida

Connecticut could bond $11.9 million for road repairs

Connecticut could see more funding for highway repairs in the coming weeks. Gov. Dannel Malloy said this week that the state bond commission plans to meet next Friday to consider a $11.9 million bond that would fund road maintenance and resurfacing projects, the New Haven Register reports. Malloy said the proposed bonding, along with $57 million in approved funds, “will repave or repair 264 miles of primary roads around the state.” This will mark the third consecutive year that the number of miles of state roads to receive funding has risen, according to the report. Malloy added that earlier this year, he proposed $1.4 billion in transportation funding. He also proposed that the state’s transportation fund be used for transportation purposes only. The report notes that Malloy also called on Congress to fix the Highway Trust Fund (HTF). The HTF funds the majority of state and local surface transportation projects, but it is expected to run out of money at the end of August. 

New Hampshire gas tax to rise 4.2 cents in July

New Hampshire can expect a 4.2-cent gas tax increase this summer, after the state’s governor signed a new bill to raise more money for transportation. Gov. Maggie Hassan on Tuesday signed SB 37, a bill that would raise the state’s gas and diesel tax by 4.2 cents per gallon, bringing in an additional $32 million to $33 million each year. Related: As Highway Trust Fund insolvency looms, state DOTs stretch dollars through project prioritization The legislation passed in the state’s Legislature in April. The gas tax increase — the first in the state since 1991 — will begin July 1, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) states on its website. The bill boosts the fuel tax from 18 cents per gallon to 22.2 cents per gallon. Hassan called the legislation “an important step toward addressing [New Hampshire’s] transportation needs,” noting that it is also expected to boost the state’s economy and “improve commutes.” “A solid, modern transportation infrastructure is the foundation for long-term economic growth, critical to the success of New Hampshire’s people and businesses, and I am proud to sign this bipartisan legislation into law so that we can strengthen our transportation infrastructure and boost our economy,” Hassan said in a prepared statement. NHDOT says the additional revenue collected from the gas tax hike would fund projects such as “resurfacing and reconstruction on secondary roadways, municipal bridges and Interstate 93.” 

Rhode Island DOT to invest $2 million in driver safety

(Photo Credit: Alexander Moran / Flickr)

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is planning to install a $2 million system on its highways to prevent drivers who are entering via ramps from driving the wrong way, WPRO News reports.

The agency intends to start installation of the system at 20 locations throughout the state in April, with a large focus on urban locations.

The system will include intelligent transportation components as well as more signage and markers near ramps.

RIDOT is aiming to have the system working early next year.