What's Happening in Providence, RI…

Rhode Island lawmakers are reviewing the anticipated costs of replacing the westbound Washington Bridge connecting Providence and East Providence.

Due to structural failure the bridge was abruptly closed in December 2023. In early 2024, a preliminary estimate to replace the bridge was placed at between $250 and $300 million dollars, although a later more thought-out estimate placed the cost at $368 million.

The latest estimate, recently announced by Governor Dan McKee, is that the cost will be $427 million. This is just the rebuild cost and does not include the cost of demolition and emergency costs. The final cost is anticipated to be about $571 million.

Originally the completion date was to be August of 2026; however, like the cost, the timeline has been expanded and is now November 2028.

Ground breakings and grand openings of public projects are often newsworthy events and frequently include the assistance of banner printing services.

Prior to its closure, the westbound I-95 bridge carried over 96,000 per day. Those vehicles have since been rerouted to the newer eastbound Washington Bridge, which is now handling traffic in both directions.

Once completed the new westbound bridge will be equipped to carry 80,000 vehicles per day with a lifespan of 100 years. Traffic on that bridge is expected to be less than it was prior to its closure due to the Henderson Bridge reopening.

Advance work on the westbound Washington Bridge is to begin in July.