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Rhode Island’s Washington Bridge needs to be demolished, Gov. says
The westbound portion of Washington Bridge closed in December, but an independent review found that most of the bridge is not repairable.
Three months after a critical failure closed the westbound portion of the Washington Bridge in Providence, R.I., new findings show the bridge needs to be demolished and rebuilt — a process that will delay commuters for the next two years.
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation crews found “critical failure” in some parts from the original 1968 bridge, which was serious enough to warrant an emergency closure in December.
Now, officials are saying the concern is more than just a broken support rod.
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said in a press conference that the westbound bridge will need to be fully rebuilt because multiple “significant structural deficiencies” cannot be repaired.
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“We’re going to fix the bridge, we’re going to do it right, and we’re going to make sure that we keep people safe,” McKee said.
The Washington Bridge takes I-195 across the Seekonk River, connecting Rhode Island with Massachusetts commuters.
Jeff Mehle, an engineer with McNary, Bergeron & Johannesen, said their independent peer review found the only path forward is demolition. The bridge will be demolished through early 2025, which will be concurrent with design and construction. The estimated time of completion will be early 2026, and the cost will be between $250 and $300 million.
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McKee said despite restoration of the bridge in 2018, it’s been in poor condition for years. He said the “day of reckoning” is coming for those responsible for the bridge’s upkeep.
“The day of accountability is coming, and it’s coming soon,” he said.
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