PROVIDENCE – The state filed a lawsuit Friday against 13 companies that have provided design, construction and inspection services for the Washington Bridge, which suddenly closed in December wreaking havoc on local businesses and communities.
The defendants in the lawsuit include: AECOM Technical Services Inc.; Aetna Bridge Co.; Aries Support Services Inc.; Barletta Heavy Division 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 complaint, filed in Providence County Superior Court by R.I. Attorney General Peter F. Neronha alleges the companies failed to “timely and adequately” identify the bridge’s worsening structural problems that ultimately led to its unexpected closure in December 2023. According to the state there were “multiple failures over multiple years” that ultimately brought it to the R.I. Department of Transportation'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 emergency closure of the Washington Bridge and subsequent mitigation efforts have strained our state,” Neronha said. “In the nearly nine months since the abrupt closure, our economy has borne an immense cost, and our state has and will continue to have to expend significant resources as a result. Today’s lawsuit seeks to hold accountable those responsible and recover the maximum amount possible for the state.”
The state has also hired the firms Wistow, Sheehan & Loveley, P.C. and Savage Law Partners LLP to investigate the claims under the direction of Neronha’s office as well as Deputy Civil Chief Sarah Rice and Consumer Protection Chief Stephen Provazza.
“Litigation is a long road and today marks the first step on that road. We are committed to working with our partners to secure as much relief for the state as we can,” Neronha said.
The abrupt closure of the bridge’s westbound side in December, which connects Interstate 195 from Rhode Island’s East Bay to Providence, has disrupted traffic and businesses. In March, the state announced that the westbound side needed to be replaced, with Gov. Daniel J. McKee proclaiming that a “day of reckoning” will come to hold those responsible for allowing the bridge to deteriorate to the point of near failure.
Part of the “day of reckoning” was a potential lawsuit against contractors involved with the bridge.
During a press briefing Friday, Neronha said he was confident in the state’s chances in court.
“This case is really strong,” he said, adding that he expects the normal litigation process to play out, with both parties engaging in “motion practice,” followed by depositions.
"Like any litigation...whether it be the government or private party, the next steps are a response [from the defendants],” he said. “They either admit the allegations against them or they deny them...All those steps take a lot of time. So there is a lot road ahead of us.”
Asked why no public employees who hired the companies are named in the lawsuit, Neronha said the state was entitled to rely on the competence of the companies hired to complete any contracted job, including the inspection and maintenance of infrastructure.
“Experts are hired for a reason. For their expertise," he said. “Whether or not someone [at RIDOT] should have overseen the experts is not a matter [relevant to the lawsuit]...the state relied on their expertise because that is how they held themselves out.”
(UPDATE: Comment from Neronha added in 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th paragraphs)
PBN Staff Writer Christopher Allen contributed to this report.
Katie Castellani is a PBN staff writer. You may contact her at Castellani@PBN.com.
