PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee announced on Friday that the state has initiated legal action against 13 companies involved in the design, construction, and inspection of the problematic Washington Bridge.
The bridge was partially shut down in December due to safety concerns, leading McKee to declare in March that it would need to be demolished and rebuilt. This decision followed an independent review that identified additional structural deficiencies, prompting the conclusion that replacement was necessary.
The lawsuit, filed on Friday, aims to hold these companies accountable for the near-catastrophic closure of the bridge and to recover the substantial costs associated with its reconstruction and state compensation. The state alleges that the companies failed to adequately and promptly identify worsening structural issues, which contributed to the bridge’s sudden and unexpected closure.
Furthermore, the lawsuit claims that there were multiple failures over several years to report the bridge’s problems to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation.
State Attorney General Peter Neronha emphasized the economic impact in a statement, noting that the abrupt closure has imposed a heavy cost on the economy, and significant resources will continue to be needed for both rebuilding and ongoing expenses.
In the interim, while the old bridge is demolished and a new one is constructed, traffic will be rerouted through six lanes on the eastbound bridge structure—three lanes in each direction. The unexpected closure of the westbound lanes in mid-December caused severe traffic disruptions, extending travel times from 40-45 minutes to several hours, and leading to widespread commuter delays, school closures, and remote learning.
The Washington Bridge, which spans Interstate 195 over the Seekonk River, handles nearly 100,000 vehicles daily.