WPRO News and the Associated Press

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – Rhode Island has not experienced as precipitous of a drop in federal highway dollars as other states have, but its share of the funding is still not enough to address an aging network of roads, highways and bridges.

The state Department of Transportation says nearly half of the state-maintained roads are in fair or worse condition and about 20 percent of the state’s bridges are considered structurally deficient.

A large influx of new funds is unlikely since federal money for such projects has remained stagnant or declined.

Figures compiled by The Associated Press show the amount of inflation-adjusted federal highway money available to Rhode Island fell by 4.6 percent from 2008 to 2013.

Gov. Gina Raimondo said Rhode Island needs to embrace innovative financing approaches where necessary, and think broadly.

“We need to take a comprehensive look at solutions, everything from public-private partnerships to tolling,” she said. “We also need to ensure that we are delivering highway and transit projects quickly and cost-effectively, so that we get the maximum benefit from the federal funding provided,” said Raimondo.