Kennedy Plaza renovation officially underway

PROVIDENCE — City and state officials have broken ground on a major renovation of Providence's public transit hub.

Kennedy Plaza is being redesigned with new berths for Rhode Island Public Transit Authority buses and passenger shelters. Sidewalks are being widened, and there will be new signage and bike lanes. There will also be new plantings, lighting and more open space.

Mayor Angel Taveras said at Tuesday's groundbreaking a vibrant Kennedy Plaza is critical to the city's economy. He says the redesign will make it safer and more navigable for passengers, drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.

The plaza's redesign and the final phase of a project to make downtown more vibrant is expected to cost $7.2 million in state and federal funds.

The Kennedy Plaza renovations are expected to be done in late fall.