Governor Lincoln D. Chafee and Michael Lewis, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, recently announced the release a new publication, “Rhode Island Highways-Best Practices Design Guide,” which establishes new beautification standards for design and management of infrastructure and buffer areas.

Click here to download the Design Guide (PDF).

The guide is user-friendly and includes case studies of best practices in architecture, lighting, artwork, design, graffiti control, signage, managing vegetation and minimizing intrusions from Rhode Island and other states.

Governor Chafee’s administration has made highway beautification a priority, installing new “Discover Beautiful Rhode Island” welcome signs, a collection of murals on Interstates 95 and 195, and intensive new plantings north of the “S Curves” on I-95 in Pawtucket.  These projects have been recognized by Scenic America as leading the way in highway beautification.  The Pawtucket River Bridge and the Route 24 Sakonnet River Bridge in Tiverton and Portsmouth have won major awards for architectural significance and aesthetic beauty.

“Rhode Island is a beautiful State, and our major roadway corridors should be as well,” Governor Chafee said. “It is my hope that the guide will be valuable in the development of future projects and management practices that enhance the aesthetic appeal of our roadways in a manner worthy of our beautiful state.”

“How we present ourselves through our gateways has an influence on Rhode Island’s identity to the outside world,” Lewis said. “These guidelines will help direct us toward investments that will reflect Rhode Island’s position as a center of art and culture and help foster a sense of pride in our community.”