PROVIDENCE — The US transportation secretary visited southern New England Thursday to warn of the danger of letting a federal fund for road and bridge repairs run out of money.
The Highway Trust Fund, used to reimburse states for highway and transit projects, is on track to become insolvent this summer unless Congress acts, because its main revenue source, the federal gas tax, is not bringing in enough money.
Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx met with Governor Lincoln Chafee and Rhode Island’s congressional delegation Thursday morning. He was scheduled to meet later in the day with Governor Dannel P. Malloy of Connecticut and members of that state’s congressional delegation.
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation said it has delayed the awarding of 20 projects, worth a total of about $67 million. These include replacing the Great Island Bridge in Narragansett and two bridges in East Providence, as well as resurfacing roads in Providence, Pawtucket, Newport, and North Kingstown.
Rhode Island spends about $20 million a month on active road and bridge projects, including work underway to replace the Providence Viaduct and paving on Interstate 295, said Michael Lewis, director of the state Transportaton Department.
Eighty percent or more of that cost is reimbursed by the federal government. The state cannot commit to new projects without knowing it will be paid back, Lewis added. Work on existing projects could slow or stop if Congress waits months to replenish the fund, he said.
The state receives a total of about $220 million a year in federal funds for highway, bridge, and transportation projects.
Foxx told states this week to expect a 28 percent cut on average in funding for the highway programs beginning Aug. 1.
‘‘It’s very frustrating, to be honest with you,’’ Foxx said during a press conference at the State House. ‘‘Because every generation of Americans, every single one, has left a better country behind them. And we are at risk of pulling up the drawbridge. And I will not let that happen quietly.’’
Senator Jack Reed, Democrat of Rhode Island, said partisan gridlock in Washington is ‘‘threatening to put the brakes on highway spending and transit spending and jobs.’’
‘‘We’re on the cusp of a disaster,’’ he said.