PROVIDENCE – R.I. Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti Jr. on Wednesday said the state plans to open bypass lanes on the Washington Bridge as soon as this weekend to help ease major traffic snarls caused by the safety-related closure of westbound lanes. State officials on Dec. 11 said it could take two weeks or
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THIS IMAGE from the R.I. Department of Transportation shows part of the critical structural failure of some original 1960s bridge components that was found in the Washington Bridge. / COURTESY R.I. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION[/caption]
Alviti added engineers told the state a vehicle carrying a heavy load likely caused the bridge failure, after an inspection six months ago found it safe.
“Some kind of load was imposed that created a catastrophic failure,” he said. “We don’t know what kind of vehicle or when it happened.”
McKee quickly shut down media questions about whether Alviti or his department should be held accountable for the bridge failure and sudden shutdown.
“I am not going to answer … that [question] is out of line … I don’t want to hear any more of those questions,” McKee said. “I have full faith in the team standing with me.”
Earlier in the day, McKee and East Providence Mayor Bob L. DaSilva said during the governor’s tour of that city that the traffic woes were starting to ease following the gridlock caused by the partial closure of one the busiest bridges in Rhode Island that carries close to 100,000 vehicles per day.
McKee said municipalities will not be on the hook for the extra overtime for police or department of public works employees that will be incurred due to the bridge closure.
“We are going to roll that extra cost that communities are having over their normal operations into the cost of the construction project,” McKee said. “Municipalities are going to be held harmless on things that are over and above their normal operations.”
Schools in East Providence had to be let out early on Tuesday and are shifted to remote learning on Wednesday. DaSilva said schools will reopen on Thursday with staggered dismissals.
(RECASTS and updates throughout with details from press briefing.)
So whom does Dan think is paying for the cost of this debacle of a construction project, if not the taxpayers: Santa Claus, maybe?
1) how did ‘experienced’ engineers miss the cut pipes in July 2023?
2) yes, this is inconvenience however, I would think more people would be pleased that the deficiency was found NOW rather than having a bridge collapse at rush hour with potential killing and injuries of many.
3) this is the Holiday season to be grateful — be grateful that the bridge did not collapse, it is being repaired, there are options available for work, dr. appointments, schooling, shopping, restaurants, and more — if you would ONLY stop and think how to re-work your negatives into positives. If Only and OMG my business is going to sink are negatives — think outside of the box and Providence Business News needs to be aiding POSTIVE Possibilities not feeding the negative
I agree with Christine above…turn your negatives in to positives and count your blessings that the bridge didn’t collapse. We need all the resourced, connected thinkers to come together and solve problems instead of dodging shortsighted calls to resign this…fire that. Come together, RI. Step up PBN and help lead the way by turning your light on experience and action.