Rhode Island transportation officials have restarted efforts to rebuild the westbound Washington Bridge after the previous attempt to find contractors fell through. The bridge, part of Interstate 195 over the Seekonk River, was closed in December 2023 due to broken anchor rods that made it unsafe.
Governor Dan McKee and RIDOT Director Peter Alviti, Jr. announced a new request for proposals (RFP) at a press conference. Two finalists—Walsh Construction from Chicago and a partnership between American Bridge Co. (Pennsylvania) and MLJ Contracting Corporation (New York)—are now preparing their bids and providing feedback to the state. A finalized RFP will be issued on January 24, with a contractor chosen by June 6. Work is expected to begin in mid-July 2025.
Why the Process Was Restarted
Earlier this year, the state received no bids to rebuild the bridge. Contractors were concerned about tight deadlines, risks of working with the 50-year-old bridge structure, and unclear conditions of its pilings and beams. This feedback led to changes, including removing the old structure, a project currently being handled by Aetna Bridge Co. for $100 million.
Governor McKee said, “Starting over was tough, but we gained important insights, found strong candidates, and are moving forward.”
Key Changes in the New Process
- Lower Penalties: Contractors face $25,000 daily fines for missing deadlines, down from $30,000 in the first round.
- Incentives: Up to $10 million will be offered to contractors who complete work early, with bonuses ranging from $5,000 to $70,000 per day.
- More Collaboration: RIDOT will meet with bidders to share ideas and address concerns throughout the process.
The project will still include five travel lanes, a new onramp from Gano Street in Providence, and an offramp to Waterfront Drive in East Providence.
Timeline and Overlap
Demolition of the old bridge should finish by late 2025. Meanwhile, contractors will begin preparations, such as finalizing designs and setting up equipment. Some early construction can occur on land while demolition continues.
To encourage participation, the losing finalist will be reimbursed $1.75 million for bidding costs, a significant increase from the $500,000 offered previously.
Director Alviti concluded, This revised approach has worked, and we’re on track to deliver a safer, modern bridge for Rhode Island.