PROVIDENCE — The General Assembly backed bills sponsored by two high-ranking East Providence legislators seeking to hold the Rhode Island Department of Transportation accountable going forward on what is now a project to completely reconstruct the westbound side of the Washington Bridge.

The House of Representatives and Senate passed the legislation introduced by Senator Valarie Lawson and Representative Katherine Kazarian, the Majority Whips in their respective chambers, requiring RIDOT provide the Assembly with regular monthly updates from the Rhode Island Department of Transportation on the state of the Washington Bridge. Each bill heads in the opposite directon for consideration, where they're also expected to be approved.

“This legislation ensures that everyone impacted by this situation – in the East Bay and across Rhode Island – receives timely, thorough information about the status of the bridge, the plans for its repair and replacement, the timeline involved and the steps being taken to alleviate traffic while work continues,” said Lawson (D-Dist.14, East Providence).

She continued, “These reports will not only inform the public but also provide necessary information for lawmakers and government officials to determine how best to provide relief to residents who have experienced such tremendous disruption to their lives and livelihoods, from improving temporary traffic patterns to supporting local businesses.”

The bills (Senate 2024-S 2727A, House 2024-H 7759A) mandates RIDOT report out developments related to the Washington Bridge to the Assembly and the governor’s office. It requires the first report be submitted within 30 days of the legislation being signed into law and that reports continue until the restoration of the bridge. These reports will also be posted publicly on RIDOT’s website.

“Aside from the terrible traffic and the significant damage to local businesses and quality of life, one of the most frustrating aspects of the bridge closure for residents has been the lack of clear and timely information surrounding the status of the Washington Bridge,” said Kazarian (D-Dist. 63, East Providence, Pawtucket).

She added, “The public deserves transparency and accountability for this crisis that has upended their daily lives and this legislation will help deliver that to the residents of Rhode Island, while also ensuring that the rebuild of this bridge happens as quickly and as safely as possible.”

Each report will contain an updated timeline on the repair and replacement of the bridge, data on traffic patterns, including delays, accidents and vehicle breakdowns, on the bridge, adjustments and anticipated adjustments made to the traffic patterns over the bridge and along alternate routes, the health effects on residents near the Washington Bridge and an overview of the direct effects of the bridge closure on streets and roads in East Providence and Providence.

In addition, the reports must include an overview of costs related to the bridge, including the repair and replacement of the bridge, overtime costs for traffic details, a list of consultants retained by RIDOT, updates related to any pending investigations and audits related to the bridge and answers to all questions submitted by the chairs of the House and Senate oversight committees.

The legislation, as well, mandates RIDOT to promptly report unexpected changes to the progress of repairing and replacing the bridge to the governor, the president of the Senate and the Speaker of the House rather than waiting until the next snapshot report is due.

RIDOT has come into criticism for how it initially handled the repair of the 56-year-old westbound side, the subsequent inspection process throughout and ultimately the need to shutter the span in December of last year.

The closure created an immediate calamity for residents of East Providence, especially, and for the rest of the motorists from the East Bay and beyond who regularly use the bridge on Interstate 195 to reach Providence and points west daily.

At first saying it would take just months to repair, RIDOT officials and those from the administration of Gov. Dan McKee as well as federal administrators eventually were told by experts in the field the existing structure could not be fixed. Rather, it would need to be replaced at an estimated cost of between $250-$300 million and take upwards of 32 months to be completed.

In the meantime, a decision was made to convert the separate, newer eastbound side into six lanes of travel, three each in both directions. Since that move took complete effect in late April, it has paid immediate dividends, easing congestion significantly from idling for over an hour to free-flowing traffic.

There remains some ancillary construction to support the eastbound side changes.  There will be  alternating lane closures for new striping on I-195, from South Main Street to Broadway in Providence running Sunday-Thursday nights, May 5-9, from 9 p.m.-5 a.m.