Washington Bridge Demolition Halts For RI To Preserve Lawsuit Evidence

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI — The Rhode Island Department of Transportation has reportedly stopped demolition of the westbound side of the Washington Bridge to preserve evidence in an ongoing legal battle.

No timeline on when demolition can resume was provided, making it more unclear on when the structurally deficient bridge connecting Providence and East Providence will be replaced. This also means the temporary closure of Waterfront Drive, which was scheduled to start Tuesday, will not happen yet, WPRI 12 reported.

"The goal is to be able to continue demolition as swiftly as possible while ensuring important evidence is preserved," RIDOT spokesperson Charles St. Martin told WPRI 12.

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha filed a lawsuit in August against 13 companies in connection to the failures on the Washington Bridge. State officials said the companies provided design, construction, and inspection services to the state regarding the Washington Bridge. According to state officials, the lawsuit aims to hold accountable those companies responsible for the near-miss catastrophic closure of the bridge and to recover the money needed to rebuild the bridge.

According to the complaint, filed in Providence County Superior Court, the companies failed to "timely and adequately identify worsening structural issues that ultimately led to the sudden and unexpected closure of the Washington Bridge." The lawsuit also argues there were numerous failures over several years to bring problems with the bridge to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation’s attention and to recommend adequate remedial measures.

Read more on the Washington Bridge situation

• RI Sues 13 Companies Over Washington Bridge Failures
• Washington Bridge Needs Full Replacement Or Major Repairs: Report
• Washington Bridge Getting Additional Travel Lanes: McKee, RIDOT
• 'Critical Failure' Closes Washington Bridge, Possibly For Months
• I-195 West Bypass Lanes Open Early On Washington Bridge
• Bypass Lanes, Ferries, Small Business Relief: Washington Bridge Update
• RI Small Business Loans Approved In Wake Of Bridge Shutdown: Report
• Bristol-Providence Ferry Service Ends.

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