PROVIDENCE — State Rep. Katherine Kazarian was the lead sponsor on legislation signed on by many of her fellow East Bay area colleagues seeking to require the Rhode Island Department of Transportation to provide a minimum monthly update on the status of the Washington Bridge construction project.

Kazarian's bill (2024-H 7759) would have RIDOT submit a report on the bridge, the closure of the westbound side of last December created a traffic and economic crisis on the East Bay especially, to be made available to the public on the first of each month for the duration of the reconstruction process.

The state just recently received a draft report from one of several engineering firms attached to the project, which deemed the current state of the 57-year-old section as dismal and in need of near-total or complete replacement.

The monthly update would also be sent to the Speaker of the House, the Senate President, the chairs of the House and Senate Finance Committees and the governor’s office. The report must be signed and verified by the director of RIDOT each month and the director would have to check an attestation box to confirm the accuracy of the information in the report.

“Aside from the obvious stress and inconvenience that this bridge closure has caused for so many of our residents, the lack of clear information regarding this significant problem has been particularly frustrating for so many people. Although the people of East Providence and Providence have been the most impacted by the closure of the Washington Bridge, residents across the East Bay and the state are also feeling the effects of this transportation disaster," Kazarian said, the House Democratic Majority Whip and sixth-term representative from District 63, East Providence and Pawtucket.

She continued, "The public deserves transparency and accountability regarding this bridge closure that has upended their daily lives and this legislation will help deliver that to the residents of Rhode Island. This bill is a product of true collaboration between all of the East Bay legislators because we all want answers about when the bridge will be safely reopened and when we all can return to normalcy on our daily commutes."

The bill was cosponsored by Reps. Matthew S. Dawson (D-Dist. 65, East Providence), Jennifer Boylan (D-Dist. 66, Barrington, East Providence), Jason Knight (D-Dist. 67, Barrington, Warren), June S. Speakman (D-Dist. 68, Warren, Bristol), Susan R. Donovan (D-Dist. 69, Bristol, Portsmouth), Michelle E. McGaw (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Little Compton, Tiverton) and Terri Cortvriend (D-Dist. 72, Portsmouth, Middletown).

“This information is crucial to the General Assembly so that we can plan and help expedite whatever course of action that is necessary to get this major roadway reopened safely and as soon as possible. Our small businesses have also been severely impacted by the bridge closure and the more information that they have at their disposal, the better their chances are of protecting their small business," said Dawson, a freshman member of the lower chamber. "The public and our small businesses have been extraordinarily patient, but they also deserve answers and transparency about how this happened and when it will be fixed."

Within the report, several pieces of information would have to be provided, including:

• An updated timeline on the fate of the Washington Bridge, including if the timeline has changed since the last report and if so, why?
• A list all of the consulting firms that are currently contracted to work on the Washington Bridge, including what each firm is researching and when their next report will be due.
• Any adjustments that have been made to the traffic patterns since the last report and updated data on the number, location, and time of all accidents and breakdowns that have occurred on the Washington Bridge.
• Updated data on any reported delays or issues pertaining to emergency vehicles would also be required.
• What are the average maximum traffic delay times during the weekday morning rush (7 a.m. – 10 a.m.) and the weekday afternoon rush (3 p.m. – 6 p.m.)?
• What are the average maximum traffic delays during the weekend and at what times during the weekend are the traffic delays the longest?
• What are the projected costs for fixing the Washington Bridge and what are the projected costs for demolishing and rebuilding the Washington Bridge?
• What are the current overtime costs associated with the bridge, such as traffic detail and other new costs incurred due to the bridge closure?
• Providing an economic overview of the effects of the diverted bridge traffic on the Providence and East Providence roads.
• Updates pertaining to any pending investigations and audits.

The legislation has been referred to the House State Government and Elections Committee for further consideration.