Rhode Island officials have confirmed that the full demolition of the Washington Bridge in Providence has been completed ahead of schedule, marking a major milestone in one of the state’s most closely watched infrastructure projects. After two years of closure stemming from severe structural issues, the site is now prepared for the next phase: construction of a completely new bridge designed to improve regional mobility and reduce chronic congestion.
According to the Governor’s office, the demolition was executed in two major phases. The first phase involved removing the deck and superstructure between July 2024 and February 2025, which was completed on schedule. The second phase — focused on substructure demolition — began in March 2025 and included underwater work starting in July 2025 to meet environmental permit requirements. The final components were fully dismantled by December 5, bringing the project to an early conclusion.
Aetna Bridge Co. led the demolition effort, coordinating marine operations, environmental protection measures, and noise and vibration controls. The bridge’s closure had created significant travel disruptions for commuters, but state leaders emphasized that the accelerated timeline is an important step toward long-term improvements.
“We continue to make progress on the Washington Bridge project, and reaching this major demolition milestone is an important step forward,” Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee says. “I know travelers are still feeling the frustration of traffic, and I want to assure them that we are fully committed to rebuilding this bridge as quickly as possible, with one of the nation’s top bridge builders leading the work. We thank Rhode Islanders for their patience as we construct a new, safe bridge that will improve traffic flow and shorten commute times.”
State officials noted that the demolition process included extensive oversight to ensure safety and environmental compliance. Crews deployed barges to capture falling debris and used turbidity curtains to contain smaller particles within controlled zones. Continuous monitoring equipment tracked dust, vibration, and noise to ensure all levels remained within regulatory thresholds.
With the old structure now fully cleared, Rhode Island is moving quickly into the construction phase of a new replacement bridge. The project is being led by Walsh Construction, a nationally recognized bridge builder. According to the Governor’s office, Walsh has been mobilizing equipment, assembling crews, securing necessary permits, and coordinating utility relocations. The firm has also completed detailed surveying and 3D scanning of the site, which will shape and refine the engineering of the new bridge.
McKee says work is progressing steadily as teams prepare the foundation work needed for vertical construction, emphasizing that the state aims to restore safe, efficient travel across this vital corridor as soon as possible.
Originally reported by Chris Sweeney, Managing Editor in CD Recycler.
