News Summary
The cost of the Washington Bridge replacement has dramatically increased to an estimated $570 million, raising accountability issues among state officials. The bridge, closed since December 2023 due to serious structural failures, is now projected to take until November 2028 for completion. The state initiated litigation against several contractors for negligence, and local leaders express frustration over the bridge’s closure significantly affecting Rhode Islanders through job losses and dwindling hospitality revenues.
Providence, Rhode Island – The cost of replacing the Washington Bridge has skyrocketed, leading to growing concerns regarding accountability from state officials. This critical infrastructure, which links I-195 and I-95, has been closed since December 11, 2023, due to significant structural failures. Initially estimated to cost between $250 million and $300 million with an expected completion date of early 2026, the project has now seen its budget balloon dramatically.
Recent announcements by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) revealed that the construction contract awarded to Walsh Construction Company is set at $339 million. However, experts warn that this sum could rise to as high as $427 million when factoring in additional costs. This increase in price has sparked public outcry as McKee and Alviti faced scrutiny over their failure to disclose the total replacement costs, which have exceeded initial projections by over $100 million due to emergency and demolition expenses.
The demolition of the Washington Bridge was initially budgeted at $40 million, but unforeseen change orders and cost overruns have drastically raised these figures. The contractor, Aetna Bridge Company, received a no-bid change order for an extra $38.4 million, bringing the total demolition costs to approximately $84.2 million. Such financial discrepancies have raised serious questions about the management and transparency of the project.
House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi emphasized the significant impact the bridge’s closure has had on Rhode Islanders for over 18 months. He underscored the necessity for precise fiscal oversight regarding the ever-growing bridge budget as fatigue sets in for local residents reliant on this vital transportation route.
Further complicating matters, Governor McKee announced a new estimated completion date for the replacement bridge, pushing it back to November 2028. This represents a considerable delay from previous timelines and adds frustration for commuters and businesses alike.
The project’s overall cost has now escalated to an estimated $570 million, which includes previous emergency repairs and ongoing litigation challenges. This has sparked an economic examination of the bridge’s closure, with a report from Salve Regina University estimating a staggering $114 million loss in hospitality revenues and approximately 1,300 jobs lost as a direct result of the bridge’s inaccessibility.
The state has initiated litigation against 13 contractors, holding them accountable for negligence related to the identification of structural problems with the bridge. In an effort to expedite the project, Walsh Construction Company has been awarded the contract for the bridge’s reconstruction following adjustments necessary due to a lack of initial bidders on the first request for proposals.
Once completed, the new Washington Bridge is expected to handle more than 90,000 vehicles daily and feature additional lanes to alleviate congestion in the area. The state has also built in incentives for early project completion and penalties for delays, reflecting the urgent need for resolution and accountability in a project that has become emblematic of infrastructure challenges across the nation.
As the community waits for both resolution and accountability, state officials are under increasing pressure to address escalating costs and restore critical connectivity to Rhode Island’s transportation network.
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Additional Resources
- Turn to 10 News
- Wikipedia: Washington Bridge
- The Boston Globe
- Google Search: Washington Bridge construction 2025
- WPRI News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Washington Bridge, Rhode Island
- CBS News Boston
- Google News: Washington Bridge repairs 2028
- GoLocalProv
- Google Scholar: Washington Bridge Rhode Island
- WHDH News
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.
