The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) has awarded a $427 million contract to Walsh Construction Co. to rebuild the westbound span of the Washington Bridge along I-195. State officials expect the new bridge to open by November 2028.
RIDOT closed the bridge in December 2023 following a structural failure. The agency initially projected a reopening in 2026, but revised the timeline based on new engineering assessments. Walsh Construction will begin advance work next month. If the company completes the work ahead of schedule, it may earn up to $10 million in incentives; if delayed, it will face penalties of $25,000 per day.
The new bridge design includes five travel lanes, improved on- and off-ramps, and a shorter structure with fewer piers. RIDOT estimates the bridge will carry 80,000 vehicles daily and last 100 years. Traffic continues to flow in both directions on the eastbound span, which RIDOT expects to remain structurally sound through its 75-year lifespan.
The full cost of the Washington Bridge crisis, including demolition and emergency work, is projected to reach $571 million. The state has secured over $700 million in funding through federal grants, capital borrowing, and redirected state and pandemic relief funds. RIDOT will use $335 million from future federal transportation funds, $221 million in federal grants, $108 million in state capital funds, $35 million in pandemic relief, and $15 million from a previous bridge award.