Magaziner, Reed say Congressional Delegation asked federal government to consider Washington Bridge investigation

NARRAGANETT, R.I. (WLNE) — While helping to cut the ribbon on Narragansett’s new library, Rep. Seth Magaziner and Sen. Jack Reed commented on the Justice Department’s request for documents on the Washington bridge closure.

The federal government is asking for documents, including inspection reports and photos, going back nearly a decade to investigate how money was used for bridge maintenance.

“It’s an appropriate thing for there to be an independent review of what happened, how the bridge got to the state that it was in, and who, if anyone, needs to be held accountable,” Magaziner said.

The first page of a federal request for records on the Washington Bridge released by Gov. McKee’s office on Jan 26, 2024. (WLNE)

He added that he, alongside the rest of Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation, reached out to the federal government to “encourage them to look into” if an investigation was appropriate and for resources.

Reed, meanwhile, said he is “laying the groundwork” with Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg about getting aid from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill for the state.

“We have to move expeditiously,” he said. “Part of this is the federal investigation, the other part is beginning to reconstruct or rehabilitate the bridge as soon as possible.

The state has until the end of February to present the requested documents, which is around the same time the Rhode Island Department of Transportation said it will have a decision on how to move forward with repairs.