Making Providence streets safe and vibrant is deeply important to Providence City Council. In fall 2022, Council and former Mayor Elorza released the North Main Street Revitalization Study, recognizing both the economic opportunities along the corridor and intense traffic safety concerns. In early 2024, Council unanimously passed a resolution making Providence a Vision Zero city, which adopts a goal of eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030. North Main Street has become a focal point of that work, with a rise in pedestrian-involved deadly accidents demanding urgent, focused improvements. Seeing the potential of what the future of North Main Street could be, the serious safety challenges that are an immediate emergency, and the challenging governance structure to make change, Councilor Sue AnderBois formed the North Main Street (NMS) Task Force.
“Everyone should trust that Providence streets are safe, whether they’re traveling by foot, bike, car, bus, or scooter,” said NMS Task Force Chair Sue AnderBois. “The fatal, preventable accidents on North Main Street have devastated my community and the North Main Street Task Force has acted with the urgency the situation demands.”
Through data collection and firsthand accounts, it became clear to the eleven-member committee that insufficient lighting was a major issue—and one that could be tackled quickly. Data presented by Vice-Chair Jamie Pahigian, including drone images of North Main Street at night and federal standards for pedestrian lighting, highlighted the dangerous conditions. Anecdotes from East Side residents and business owners exposed the fear and challenges when traveling on and around North Main Street.
Equipped with data and the support of Kyle Delgado, Director of Project Management for City Council, $500,000 in federal funds were allocated to execute a comprehensive lighting project. Broken light posts were repaired and existing lights were brightened, carefully balancing safety goals and light pollution concerns. Council also invested in seven strategically placed light posts at the most problematic sites, identified in part using crash data collected by the Providence Streets Coalition. These new lights on Cypress Avenue, Rochambeau Avenue, and Branch Avenue—near and on the intersection with North Main Street—will shine much-needed light on the pedestrians who travel down this major street.
“For this Council, money spent on safety measures is always money well spent,” said Director of Project Management Kyle Delgado. “Every day I help implement projects for all 15 councilors that make our neighborhoods more welcoming and beautiful places. With the North Main Street Task Force’s investments, our projects are saving lives.”
The Task Force also immediately noted that speeding is a huge concern on this road—and that while longer infrastructure changes could take time—the Providence Police Department has stepped up with greatly increased enforcement. Many drivers have been shocked to find out that the speed limit is only 25 miles per hour on North Main Street and the increased enforcement and speed sleds have been an important initial way the city has increased safety along the corridor.
At the end of 2024, the R.I. Department of Transportation (RIDOT) also addressed tripping hazards, discouraged speeding, and helped create safer crosswalks. Looking ahead, the NMS Task Force will consider increasing crosswalks, pedestrian-level lighting, among other safety measures. Improving pedestrian safety measures is just one piece of the Task Force’s work to revitalize North Main Street. Empty lots will be assessed for affordable housing opportunities, the needs of our local businesses will be gauged, and other projects will be considered through a range of medium-term plans. Across Providence, Council will continue to craft policy and invest funds to create the thriving, safe neighborhoods residents deserve. 
Photo by Kris Craig from The Providence Journal.
