Rhode Island Economy Gets a Boost from Rail
In addition to playing a direct role in the revitalization of the Ports of Providence and Davisville, rail infrastructure and service improvements have also created cost effective options for other businesses and industries in the Ocean State. Taking heavy freight off the highways also reduces truck congestion and saves money for taxpayers on roadway upkeep.
Rhode Island's freight railroad operates 143 miles of track and employs 28 in the Ocean State.* It would have taken thousands of additional truckloads to move the many tons of freight that moved by rail in Rhode Island in 2021. Moving freight by rail prevented 94,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 18,000 cars off the road or planting 1.42 million trees.
*2021 data
