News Summary
Governor Dan McKee announced a significant infrastructure upgrade in Rhode Island, with the westbound Washington Bridge set for a $427 million rebuild. Managed by Walsh Construction Co., the project is expected to take until November 2028. The project’s costs have escalated, impacting taxpayers as total expenses are projected to reach $571 million. Traffic rerouting will be necessary, with the new design featuring five lanes and improved access points. Preparatory work begins next month amid ongoing concerns about past management practices.
Rhode Island will see a significant infrastructure upgrade as Governor Dan McKee announced the rebuilding of the westbound Washington Bridge, with an estimated cost of $427 million. This extensive project is expected to be completed by November 2028, extending beyond the previous target of August 2026.
Walsh Construction Co. from Chicago has been selected to oversee the rebuilding process, following a competitive bidding selection that came into motion after the bridge’s unexpected closure in December 2023 due to severe structural failure.
Originally estimated to cost between $250 million and $300 million, the rebuilding expenses later ballooned to $368 million, and the most recent projection reflects a further increase of 16%. The total taxpayer costs associated with the Washington Bridge saga, including demolition and emergency expenses, are expected to reach $571 million.
State officials have identified over $700 million from various funding sources to cover costs related to the Washington Bridge project. This includes:
– $335 million in borrowing against future federal transportation funding,
– $221 million in federal grants acquired in the previous year,
– $108 million sourced from the state’s cash account for capital projects,
– $35 million redirected from pandemic relief funds, and
– $15 million from prior bridge award allocations.
Prior to its closure, the westbound Washington Bridge facilitated over 96,000 vehicles on a daily basis. To alleviate resultant traffic congestion, the state rerouted traffic to utilize the eastbound Washington Bridge for both directions.
The redesigned bridge will feature five lanes, an upgrade from the previous four-lane configuration, alongside enhancements such as a new on-ramp from Gano Street and an off-ramp leading to Waterfront Drive. The new bridge plan will also incorporate fewer piers while maintaining an aesthetic similar to its predecessor.
Walsh Construction has a history of successful bridge construction, having previously worked on prominent infrastructure including the Memorial Bridge in Portsmouth, NH, and the Q Bridge in New Haven, CT. They are expected to draw design references from the Chain of Rocks Bridge, currently under construction over the Mississippi River. To incentivize timely completion, Walsh Construction could earn as much as $10 million if they finish ahead of schedule; conversely, a daily penalty of $25,000 will be imposed for delays.
Preparatory work for the new bridge is scheduled to commence next month. Initial attempts to fix the existing westbound bridge had failed, leading to the determination that the structure could not be salvaged, which necessitated complete demolition. The projected demolition cost originally estimated at $40.5 million rose to almost $100 million amid the expanded removal plans that included Bridge’s substructure.
A losing bidder, a joint partnership comprised of American Bridge Co. and MLJ Contracting Corp., will receive $1.75 million for their role in the bidding process. In the face of criticism over bridge management, the McKee administration has filed lawsuits against several firms involved in the bridge’s past construction and maintenance efforts. Additionally, Governor McKee and RIDOT Director Peter Alviti have expressed confidence concerning the structural integrity of the eastbound bridge, despite increased traffic demands.
Former CVS executive Helena Foulkes publicly denounced the administration’s approach to the bridge’s complications, labeling it a significant flaw in leadership.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- WPRI: $427M to Rebuild Washington Bridge by November 2028, McKee Announces
- GoLocalProv: More Misleading Claims by McKee and Alviti on Washington Bridge
- ABC6: New Washington Bridge to Cost $334 Million, Complete by Nov 2028
- Boston Globe: Washington Bridge Reconstruction RI I-195
- Providence Journal: New I-195 Washington Bridge to be Ready in 2028, Will Cost Millions More
- Wikipedia: Washington Bridge
- Google Search: Washington Bridge Reconstruction
- Google Scholar: Washington Bridge Rhode Island
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Washington Bridge
- Google News: Washington Bridge Rebuild
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
