BL Companies won a 2026 Rhode Island Monthly Design Award in the Outdoor Space/Landscaping category for its work on the Airport Connector at T.F. Green International Airport. BL was honored on April 23 at an awards celebration at Porch & Patio Casual Living in Warwick.
Rhode Island Department of Transportation envisioned an attractive and inviting landscaped corridor to serve as a welcoming gateway for visitors arriving and departing the state. BL brought that vision to life on an accelerated three-month schedule, from land survey through final design submission.
Manafort Brothers, Inc. completed construction of a prominent 20-foot tall by 100-foot long illuminated sign, over 7,000 plantings, sculptural fencing and many other aesthetic treatments to create a memorable experience for not only travelers, but anyone driving along the I-95 corridor.
The finished project successfully transformed the area into an impactful and welcoming gateway to the Ocean State. BL Companies provided survey, design, environmental and construction administration services for the project, which consisted of several distinctive improvements at I-95 Interchange 29 and along the Airport Connector corridor itself.
The project also included the addition of a “Discover Rhode Island” median sign and decorative elements including painted median barriers with Rhode Island theme colors topped by wave-pattern median treatments. Upgrades were also made to Bridge 077101 over Jefferson Boulevard consisting of MASH-compliant parapets with a decorative sculptural fencing treatment.
The Airport Connector Landscaping project successfully fulfilled RIDOT’s goal of transforming a standard transportation corridor into an impressive gateway experience for visitors and delivered the visual impact that RIDOT envisioned.
Rhode Island Monthly received more than 75 submissions from talented designers, architects, builders and developers throughout the state. All winners will be featured in the magazine’s Nest publication, which will be delivered to subscribers with the May issue of Rhode Island Monthly.