A section of the main bridge supporting Interstate 195 over the Seekonk River in Providence, Rhode Island, has been shut down since late December due to severe damage and will need to undergo a complete reconstruction. This reconstruction project, focused on replacing the westbound lanes of the Washington Bridge, is anticipated to extend until sometime in 2026.
The westbound lanes of the bridge, which was constructed in 1968, were closed on December 11 following an inspection that revealed critical failures in certain bridge components. Consequently, the westbound lanes were closed to traffic, and one lane of the eastbound span was converted to accommodate some westbound traffic.
Initial estimates for the demolition and replacement of the bridge range between $250 million and $300 million. Both the demolition and the redesign-reconstruction phases will be opened to bidding. It’s projected that a new bridge could be finished within 18 to 24 months following the contract award, based on preliminary estimates.
On March 15, Governor Dan McKee, along with Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti and the Governor’s Senior Deputy Chief of Staff T. Joseph Almond, conducted a briefing to disclose the findings of the structural assessment and the proposed plan for the Washington Bridge’s future. Concurrently, a separate forensic analysis is ongoing to determine the root causes of the bridge failure, which will provide further clarity on accountability in the near future.
Since the discovery of two failed tie-rods in December 2023, a comprehensive inspection of the bridge has been conducted by a team of engineering firms and reviewed by McNary, Bergeron & Johannesen, an independent bridge construction company hired by the governor’s directive. These findings strongly support the necessity of the administration’s decision to close the bridge on December 11 for public safety reasons.
The report has identified additional significant structural deficiencies that are not feasibly repairable. Following a review of the report, McNary, Bergeron & Johannesen have concurred with the recommendation to replace the westbound side of the Washington Bridge. As outlined in a presentation by Jeff Mehle, an engineer from the firm, this decision entails demolishing and replacing the bridge’s superstructure, and potentially some or all of its substructure as well.
“Rhode Islanders deserve answers, accountability, and a plan of action to restore normalcy to their daily lives. That is what we will deliver,” McKee. “It is very important to me that Rhode Islanders have confidence in the findings and the recommendation for a path forward for the Washington Bridge. That is why I made sure that a third-party expert, unaffiliated with any current construction projects in Rhode Island, was able to oversee and review all the information gathered for this report.”
“I am deeply disturbed by the additional structural deficiencies identified by the in-depth review of the bridge,” McKee said. “When we have all the facts, we will hold any responsible parties fully accountable. The day for accountability will come.”
