RIDOT prepares for demolition of Washington Bridge

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Department of Transportation is preparing for demolition of the westbound side of the Washington Bridge in September.

According to Chief of Public Affairs, Charles St. Martin, the contractor has begun prep work by adding a fence between the eastbound side and the westbound side.

“The fence is part of that preparatory work and is for protective mesh screening between the eastbound bridge and the bridge being demolished,” he said.

Aetna Bridge Co. won the bid to demolish the bridge at $45.8 million back in July.

The state is currently seeking information from contractors on the reconstruction of the bridge, as no companies submitted bids to build the new westbound side.

St. Martin confirmed that demolition is still on track for September, but there is no set date yet.