Completed in 1968, the two-span bridge over the Seekonk River is one of Rhode Island’s busiest traffic arteries, carrying some 96,000 vehicles a day.

But it’s had a troubled end-of-life.

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) suddenly closed the westbound span in December 2023 after engineers discovered that a number of bracing pins had been severed.

RIDOT warned of “catastrophic failure” if the span stayed open.

At the time, the engineers were working on a $78m project to rehabilitate the bridge, begun in October 2021.

After the discovery, RIDOT deemed the bridge beyond saving, and began searching for a contractor to replace it completely. It’s now being demolished.

Incentives and penalties for the builder

A leading bridge builder, Walsh bid $339m for the job, but RIDOT added another $88m for what it called “soft costs for inspections and potential incentives and contingencies”, bringing the potential total cost to $427m.

Walsh starts next month surveying the site, ordering materials, and mobilising workers.

It committed to completing the project in November 2028, but could get up to $10m in incentives if lanes open ahead of schedule.

On the other hand, the builder faces penalties of $25,000 a day if the project goes over the deadline.

End to the nightmare

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee expressed relief that an end to the nightmare may be in sight.

“With a world-class construction company hired, a project cost that is well within our budgeted funds, and a project timeline that is driven by industry expertise, we’re positioned to deliver a bridge that will truly outlast our lifetimes,” he said.

A bit shorter

The new bridge will be designed to last 100 years and be easier to inspect and maintain.

Walsh plans to increase the number of lanes over the bridge from four to five, and build a new on-ramp from Gano Street and an off-ramp to Waterfront Drive.

The bridge will be built on an entirely new substructure, and its overall footprint will be 450 feet shorter than the old bridge, a decision that requires fewer piers in the river.

The current demolition project is on track for completion by the end of the year, with the demolition of the underwater foundation beginning in July.