Living with an East Rhode Island, West Rhode Island state of mind – as we wait

Photo, top: RIDOT

What we know:

We learned much about what is happening with the Washington Bridge in one day – yesterday. This following a weekend of swirling rumors – rumors that began when we learned that the repair of the bridge would now take “more than 3 months”, as originally estimated. The new rumors? That the bridge may need to be replaced – not repaired. Where the information began is unclear, but it is thought it was from people who were involved with the project, itself. It rose to the attention of East Providence Mayor DaSilva saying he and his wife were at a restaurant over the weekend when people kept coming up to them asking about the bridge having to be rebuilt.

DaSilva called Peter Alviti, the Director of the RIDOT and heard that yes, that was one of the possible outcomes of studies now being done. DaSilva posted on Facebook what he had learned:

By Monday morning, social media posts about the situation were beginning. John DePetro Radio had a more definitive interpretation of what was likely to happen. Several people discounted the “rumors” as just that – and unfounded. By 7am, WPRO’s Gene Valicenti was talking about it and Mayor DaSilva had called to say he wanted time on the air to clarify. He talked to Gene about what he knew, and that he was “frustrated” with the situation, but wanted to clarify those talking about the bridge’s future.

Here is the interview on WPRO with Gene Valicenti:

The interview may have left more questions than answers, and by 9am, Tara Granahan had arranged to talk with DaSilva.

Here is the interview on WPRO with Tara Granahan:

Governor McKee decided to adapt a meeting he was to chair at CommerceRI to begin with a press conference with Alviti at 3pm. RIDOT also added information to their website about the bridge:

From RIDOT:

“RIDOT continues to expedite the inspections and analysis of the bridge. This analysis is complex and it takes time. The Department, working in conjunction with several engineering consultants, is working 24/7 to assess the condition of the full bridge and develop an analysis that is comprehensive and will result in a bridge that will be safe.

The findings of this evaluation will determine the scope of the work that needs to be done, as well as the schedule and cost. Until that is done, RIDOT does not have an estimate on the time to reopen the bridge. 

The analysis could come to a number of conclusions, including repair of the existing structure, or a more extensive reconstruction. A decision will not be made until the analysis is complete. Whichever course of action the Department will take, accelerated bridge construction methods will be used to repair the bridge as quickly as possible.

Regardless of the scope of work, RIDOT is strategizing various construction scenarios to determine how we can phase the work to open new lanes and maximize the flow of traffic as soon as possible. The Department also is developing contingencies for funding to be redirected to this project to assure that it has priority.”

Until the analysis reports are finalized we will not know the 3 choices Alviti has said could happen: “It could be a repair of the existing structure, although extensive, it could be a reconstruction of various components of the bridge structure, or it could be a complete rebuild of the entire bridge.”

Watch the press conference with the Governor and RIDOT Director Alviti, here on the WPRI FB feed – click on the link below the photo:

https://www.facebook.com/WPRI12/videos/738821121640490/

There is no timeline being put forth as to when this sophisticated report will be completed. Then there is the plan to fix or replace. One point being made is that while teams of experts in the US are here, they will also be inspecting other Rhode Island bridges to see if similar critical repairs need to be made, and if the public is at risk.

What are you doing differently to make accommodations for the bridge repair/reconstruction? Let us know – leave a comment, below…

This is a developing story: