RIDOT Director Alviti’s Reconfirmation Opposed by Advocacy Groups at State House Hearing

RIDOT Director Alviti’s Reconfirmation Opposed by Advocacy Groups at State House Hearing

Leading planners, public transit advocates, and environmentalists came out in opposition to the reconfirmation of Peter Alviti, the Rhode Island Director of Transporation. Alviti has run the agency for eight years.

The confirmation hearing was held by the Senate Finance Committee.

Alviti was first nominated by Governor Gina Raimondo to the post in 2015.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

Today, Rhode Island’s roads are ranked last in the United States. While opponents were speaking, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio was sitting in the hearing. Ruggerio has strongly supported Alviti -- the two worked together for the Laborers International Union.

 

Time for New Leadership

“We believe new leadership is needed,” said Scott Wolf, the executive director of Grow Smart RI, about RIDOT.

Long-time transportation advocate Barry Schiller criticized Alviti for the lack of communication with environmental and advocacy groups.

Gayle Gifford, a Providence small business owner, raised concerns about Alviti’s lack of action in producing alternative transportation modes.

Rhode Island Transit Riders, in a letter and testimony to the Committee, outline an array of failures by Alviti.

• Director Alviti has failed to develop a viable plan to expend the $35 million bond that voters approved in 2014 for state-wide mass transit hubs. The bond was intended to improve our state’s mass transit system. The Multi-Hub Plan, which he pushed, would have made the bus system more confusing and less convenient. It did not find public support.

• He canceled the long-established quarterly meetings with community and advocacy groups representing public transit, biking and environmental concerns of citizens. These were a forum for the open exchange of views and information.

• More generally, Director Alviti has repeatedly failed to seek the input of Rhode Island’s transit users, who would like to help address current problems and build a vibrant system for the future.

Wolf, in his testimony, said, “Rhode Island’s outdated and auto-centric transportation system has been failing to keep pace with the needs of our residents, our economy and our planet.  We believe the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) has the potential to move our state forward in a way that expands Rhode Islanders’ transportation choices, meaningfully reduces carbon emissions, improves public safety, lowers the cost of living, supports efficient transit-oriented development and provides better access to economic and recreational opportunities for all Rhode Islanders, no matter their zip code.“

Despite the opposition, the Senate Finance Committee approved Alviti and sent the nomination to the full committee.