Rhode Island officials have Rhode Island officials have selected Walsh Construction Co. to spearhead the full replacement of the westbound Washington Bridge in Providence, a vital transportation artery that was abruptly closed in late 2023 due to severe structural concerns. The construction contract, announced this week, carries a hard cost of $339 million, but the total project value could reach $427 million once inspections, contingencies, and incentives are factored in, according to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation.

The Washington Bridge, which opened in 1968, spans the Seekonk River and previously carried nearly 100,000 vehicles daily along Interstate 195. Its sudden closure in December 2023 sent shockwaves across the region, causing major traffic disruptions and economic strain for local commuters and businesses.

The closure followed an urgent engineering assessment that flagged broken tie-down rods and prompted an emergency shutdown. A follow-up audit and inspection report released in March 2024 revealed even deeper issues, including unsound concrete, corrosion, and what the report described as "structural deficiencies that cannot be viably repaired." The conclusion: the bridge must be demolished and fully rebuilt.

Walsh, a national contractor with experience in similar bridge projects, is scheduled to begin preconstruction work in July, including surveying, procurement of materials, and mobilizing workers. Full construction is slated to run through November 2028, but the state is offering performance-based incentives to expedite the work.

To encourage early delivery, Rhode Island DOT will offer up to $10 million in incentives if key lanes open ahead of schedule. Conversely, Walsh faces penalties of $25,000 per day if the project misses critical deadlines, ensuring that the construction timeline remains a priority.

Once complete, the new Washington Bridge will be a modern, more durable structure designed to last 100 years and built for ease of inspection and maintenance. Enhancements to the original structure include:

• Increasing the number of lanes from four to five to accommodate higher traffic volumes.
• A new on-ramp to I-195 West from Gano Street and an off-ramp to Waterfront Drive, improving local access.
• Redesigned traffic lane configurations to reduce chronic congestion that has plagued the corridor for decades.
• A reduced bridge footprint, measuring over 450 feet shorter than the previous structure, with fewer support piers in the river, improving flow and minimizing environmental disruption.
• Aesthetic lighting to illuminate the north side of the bridge deck and prefabricated arches that echo the original Washington Bridge’s architectural style and span both sides of the river.

“Our goal was to provide a design and a plan to build a bridge that will carry 80,000 vehicles every day safely for 100 years,” said Rhode Island DOT Director Peter Alviti Jr. in the official release. “This contract achieves that goal.”

Walsh is no stranger to projects of this scale. The firm has built two similar bridges in the past three years, the release noted, suggesting Rhode Island DOT sought a proven partner with a strong track record for complex infrastructure replacements under time pressure.

The new bridge represents not just a massive capital project but also a lifeline for the regional economy. Since the westbound span was shut down, commuters and freight operators have faced significant detours, and businesses in the area have reported slowdowns due to accessibility issues.

Local and federal officials have emphasized the importance of swift execution. With the added incentive and penalty structure in place, state leaders hope this replacement effort will restore reliable transportation access and avoid the kind of drawn-out delays that have plagued other major public infrastructure efforts across the country.

and penalty structure in place, state leaders hope this replacement effort will restore reliable transportation access and avoid the kind of drawn-out delays that have plagued other major public infrastructure efforts across the country.

Originally reported by Jennifer Goodman in Construction Dive.