Brady PieperNew federal support for a bridge replacement project in Rhode Island now brings total funding to over $221 million after the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) unveiled the latest round of grants for the Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight & Highway Projects (INFRA) program.
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will leverage federal, state and local funding to demolish and replace the Washington Bridge in Providence. RIDOT will utilize $95.5 million in INFRA grants and an additional $125.4 million in grants from the National Infrastructure Project Assistance (MEGA) program to complete the large-scale bridge replacement.
Originally opened in 1930, the Washington Bridge spans the Seekonk River, connecting Providence and East Providence. The current iteration of the bridge, altered in 1968, has become an essential route for commuters and commercial vehicles, serving nearly 90,000 vehicles daily.
Representing one of the most congested bottlenecks in the nation, the 1,671-foot structure is the most-traveled east-west route connecting the Providence metropolitan area and the rest of Southern New England, according to RIDOT.
In recent years, the bridge has faced increasing structural concerns, prompting RIDOT to conduct extensive inspections. Critical structural issues were discovered, and the bridge was deemed unsalvageable. The bridge was closed shortly thereafter.
The full Washington Bridge Replacement Project is estimated to cost approximately $426.5 million, which includes $58.2 million for demolition, $368.3 million for the design-build process and $46 million for emergency expenses related to stabilizing the existing structure.
Key features for the project include a new bridge superstructure and substructure, resurfacing and restriping of I-195, improved ramp geometry and the addition of a long-sought exit ramp to Waterfront Drive. The new bridge will have an expected service life of 100 years, improving efficiency and reliability in Rhode Island’s transportation network.
Aside from the bridge replacement, the project will also address a handful of traffic safety and environmental concerns.
To pay for the project, RIDOT has secured several forms of funding, including federal support through the MEGA and INFRA programs. Earlier this year, the department was awarded a $251 million federal Bridge Investment Grant and $255 million in bridge formula funds under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Demolition of the existing bridge has already begun, with the removal of the bridge expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
Looking ahead, RIDOT will pursue a contractor willing to build the bridge and anticipates awarding a contract next June. Rhode Island has opened a new two-step procurement for the Washington Bridge reconstruction project, which begins with the state issuing a Request for Qualifications, a solicitation that asks interested bidders to submit key criteria, such as experience in complex construction projects and qualifications of key staff.
The INFRA program, allocated funds under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, provides funding opportunities and grants to multimodal freight and highway projects that enhance safety, reliability and efficiency initiatives in urban and rural areas.
As part of the DOT’s transportation investments, Rhode Island’s $95.5 million INFRA grant represents a small portion of the grants delivered through the INFRA program. In this funding cycle, the DOT has committed $2.58 billion in grants for projects that will improve regional transportation networks nationwide.
A full list of INFRA grant awardees, including project descriptions and funding allocations, can be found on the DOT’s INFRA Awards FY 2025-2026 webpage.
Photo courtesy Kenneth C. Zirkel
