The westbound Washington Bridge on Interstate 195 in Rhode Island is set to be replaced at an estimated total cost of $571 million and won’t reopen to traffic until late 2028 — more than two years later than initially projected.

Gov. Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation announced Friday that Walsh Construction Co. has been awarded the $427 million contract to build the new span.

The total cost includes $340 million in hard construction expenses and $87 million in soft costs, such as a $10 million incentive if Walsh finishes ahead of schedule. Demolition and emergency response costs push the full project price tag to $571 million.

The original bridge was closed abruptly during the evening commute in December 2023, after engineers discovered structural instability that could have led to a catastrophic collapse, according to officials. Initial hopes to repair the span were dashed after further inspection revealed internal steel corrosion.

“This has been a trying time for those who rely on the Washington Bridge,” McKee said, adding that the final bid was within the $713 million the state has budgeted from a mix of state and federal funding sources.

The state had originally hoped to complete the project by August 2026 for roughly $250 million to $300 million. But a lack of initial bidders and design revisions—including abandoning plans to reuse the old bridge’s piers—delayed the timeline and increased costs.

Walsh was chosen over American Bridge Co., which submitted a higher construction bid. State officials say the eastbound span currently carrying all traffic remains safe under enhanced inspection protocols.

Meanwhile, the state’s lawsuit against 13 companies involved in the failed bridge's past maintenance and the U.S. Department of Justice probe remain ongoing.

Source: Providencejournal.com, Turnto10.com