Rhode Island officials file lawsuit against Washington Bridge contractors

Christopher Boardman,

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Governor Dan McKee, Attorney General Peter F. Neronha and the state’s outside legal team announced Friday that a lawsuit has been filed against 13 companies that provided design, construction and inspection services related to the Washington Bridge.

The suit was filed in part to hold the companies accountable and to “recover the significant resources required to rebuild the bridge and compensate the State.”

The suit states that the companies failed to identify worsening structure issues that led to the bridge’s closure in December of 2023.

The state brings claims of breach of contract, fiduciary duty and negligence against the defendants.

The companies named in the lawsuit are:

  •  AECOM Technical Services, Inc.
  • Aetna Bridge Company
  • Aries Support Services, Inc.
  • Barletta Heavy Division, Inc.
  • Barletta/Aetna I-195 Washington Bridge North Phase 2 JV
  • Collins Engineers, Inc.
  • Commonwealth Engineers Consultants, Inc.
  • Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.
  • Michael Baker International, Inc.
  • Prime AE Group, Inc.
  • Steere Engineering, Inc.
  • Transystems Corporation
  • Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.

“As promised, the State is pursuing accountability from all responsible parties who we assert have contributed to the current situation with the Washington Bridge,” said Governor Dan McKee. “I am pleased that the Attorney General and Attorneys Max Wistow and Jon Savage have delivered a strong case, and I look forward to an outcome that will benefit Rhode Island taxpayers.”

“The emergency closure of the Washington Bridge and subsequent mitigation efforts have strained our state,” said Attorney General Peter F. Neronha. “In the nearly nine months since the abrupt closure, our economy has borne an immense cost, and our state has and will continue to have to expend significant resources as a result. Today’s lawsuit seeks to hold accountable those responsible and recover the maximum amount possible for the State. Litigation is a long road and today marks the first step on that road. We are committed to working with our partners to secure as much relief for the state as we can.”

Frank McMahon, a spokesperson for Aetna Bridge Company issued the following statement following the announcement of the lawsuit.

“Aetna Bridge Company is a third generation Rhode Island family business and we are proud of our more than 75-year history of bridge construction and repair work in our state. We are aware of litigation filed today related to the failure of the Washington Bridge. We stand behind the quality of all our past work and the work we will perform in the future. We will vigorously defend ourselves against any claims made in this lawsuit.”

Categories: News, Rhode Island

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