Repair or replace?: McKee, Alviti to reveal structural analysis of Washington Bridge

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — On December 11th 2023, the westbound lane of the Washington Bridge closed down after RIDOT Director Peter Alviti said engineers discovered critical deficiencies on the bridge. 

“When they get to the end of their useful life like this one is, the deterioration can accelerate. And that’s what happened here,” said Alviti 

The immediate aftermath was traffic delays for hours and long lines of angry commuters. 

“It’s a nightmare,” said one driver. 

“Two hours to get home and then two hours to get back. I mean this is crazy,” said another commuter.  

“It’s really pitiful knowing that this was going to be an issue that they would allow people to sit in gridlock for two-and-a-half, three hours. It’s pitiful.” 

Initially, state leaders said the westbound lane would be closed for three months as repairs were made. 

“This is the top priority in the state of Rhode Island right now. Number one,” said Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee. 

Then just over one month into the shutdown, Alviti announced the bridge may need to be demolished and rebuilt. 

“It could potentially be the cause of a catastrophic failure,” said Alviti. 

And just days later, Governor McKee’s office announced the U.S. Department of Justice had launched an investigation seeking documents and records related to the Washington Bridge. 

“It was not a surprise that we’re doing a forensic overview, and we welcome that as we do all oversight right now,” said McKee 

“We’ll be cooperating, the governor has given us instruction to cooperate fully and that’s what we’ll be doing,” said Alviti. 

RIDOT was given 30 days to hand over documents to the DOJ, and that deadline was later extended three more weeks, and it’s now set to expire next Monday before RIDOT must hand over all documents. 

The investigation is something the East Providence mayor hopes will bring answers. 

“I think having a set of eyes that are removed from the situation is not a bad thing. I think the DOT and the governor welcomes that review and I think it’s a good thing for the community, everyone wants to know how we ended up where we are,” said East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva.  

The bridge’s shutdown has caused friction with the East Providences City Council calling on Governor McKee to declare a state of emergency in East Providence, a proposition later declined by the governor. 

Earlier this week marked three months since the Washington Bridge’s initial shutdown, with no end in sight for the commuter crisis. 

Thursday, the fate of the Washington Bridge may be revealed after a structural analysis of the bridge is announced. 

ABC6 will stream the media briefing live beginning at 3 p.m.