Categories: Rhode Island Business NewsRhode Island News

Rhode Island to Rebuild Washington Bridge with $427 Million Upgrade

Workers engage in the construction of the new Washington Bridge as part of a $427 million infrastructure project.

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.