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Report: Special master named in Washington Bridge lawsuit

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PBN Staff

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06/10/2026

A SPECIAL MASTER has been named to resolve ongoing disputes over access to documents in state’s lawsuit against 13 construction and inspection companies that worked on the failed Washington Bridge. / PBN FILE PHOTO/WILLIAM HAMILTON

PROVIDENCE – A special master has been named to resolve a dispute over access to documents in the state’s lawsuit against 13 construction and inspection companies that worked on the failed Washington Bridge, WPRI-TV CBS 12 reported. R.I. Superior Court Judge Brian Sten named retired judge Netti Vogel to manage an impasse over discovery material

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PROVIDENCE – A special master has been named to resolve a dispute over access to documents in the state’s lawsuit against 13 construction and inspection companies that worked on the failed Washington Bridge, WPRI-TV CBS 12 reported. R.I. Superior Court Judge Brian Sten named retired judge Netti Vogel to manage an impasse over discovery material and ensure the parties meet court-ordered deadline of Sept. 17, WPRI reported. In his order, Stern cited “the complexity of this case and the aggressive timeline to move this case forward” as his rationale for enlisting Vogel. Stern’s order also gives Vogel the authority to move the deadline. The impasse comes after two of the defendants, Barletta Heavy Division and Aetna Bridge Co., said the state has refused to provide communications involving Deputy Chief of Staff T. Joseph Almond and Gov. Daniel J. McKee relating to the Washington Bridge. The issue also extended to documents at the R.I. Department of Transportation. Another defendant, AECOM Technical Services Inc., said the state has refused “to collect and produce email from John Igliozzi.” The defendants also claim the state hasn't produced records on inspection, maintenance and structural deficiencies of other state-owned bridges. The state is accusing the defendants of using the requests for emails to stall the proceedings, claiming it has already turned over nearly 1 million pages of documents, according to the report. “The state recently made a substantial supplemental production consisting of nearly 250,000 pages of documents,” the state said in its filing, obtained by WPRI. “This follows the state’s prior productions totaling approximately 676,000 pages.” In August 2024, the state filed a lawsuit against 13 companies that provided design, construction and inspection services for the Washington Bridge, which was shut down in December 2023 because of a fear it might collapse. State officials suddenly closed the westbound lanes of Interstate 195 on the bridge after engineers discovered broken anchor rods that put the highway connecting Providence and East Providence at risk. The other defendants in the lawsuit include: Aries Support Services 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 Corp. and Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc. The lawsuit, filed in Superior Court by Attorney General Peter F. Neronha, alleges the companies failed to “timely and adequately” identify the bridge’s worsening structural problem. According to the state, there were “multiple failures over multiple years” that ultimately brought it to the RIDOT’s attention. The complaint brings claims of breach of contract, fiduciary duty and negligence against the companies, with the claims varying among the defendants. The case is scheduled to go to trial in late 2027.