A look at the Washington Bridge closure and rebuilding process, two years on

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Today marks a frustrating anniversary for thousands of Rhode Island commuters.

Two years ago today, the westbound side of the Washington Bridge was abruptly shut down by state officials.

The announcement came at 4 p.m. on December 11, 2023 when RIDOT Director Peter Alviti said that consultants had “found urgent safety issues that could cause a critical deficiency” with the bridge.

To prevent a possible collapse, the westbound side of the bridge was shuttered to all traffic.

The following March, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee announced what all commuters were fearing: a full demolition and rebuild of the westbound side of the bridge.

East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva remembers getting the call from Alviti a half an hour before the bridge was shut down.

Mayor DaSilva said that area business owners have given him mixed updates of the shutdown’s impact on their operations.

“I believe people have adapted the best they can,” said Mayor DaSilva.

“They gained new customers from the East Bay.”

Governor McKee announced in June that a contractor had been selected to build the new bridge.

Walsh Construction Company planned to build the new westbound side based off of a similar structure they put up in Saint Louis.

McKee said he was eying November 3, 2028 for the new bridge’s completion, months after the initial estimate of summer of 2026 that was floated.

The total price tag of the project is $427 million, but McKee said that there will be no cost to Rhode Island taxpayers.