Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee made an announcement on Friday regarding the filing of a lawsuit against 13 companies linked to the Washington Bridge’s design, construction, and inspection services. The bridge faced safety concerns in December and was partially closed, with the decision to demolish and replace it being made by McKee in March. An independent review had revealed severe structural deficiencies necessitating the bridge’s replacement.

Governor McKee mentioned that the lawsuit aims to hold these companies responsible for the almost-catastrophic closure of the bridge and to secure the substantial resources needed for the bridge’s reconstruction and to compensate the state. The state’s lawsuit contends that the companies failed to promptly and properly address deteriorating structural issues that led to the sudden closure of the bridge. Additionally, it alleges that there were several years of neglect in reporting the bridge problems to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation.

State Attorney General Peter Neronha stated in a written release, “In the nearly nine months since the abrupt closure, our economy has borne an immense cost, and our state has and will continue to have to expend significant resources as a result.” Throughout the process of demolishing and constructing the new bridge, traffic will be redirected onto the eastbound bridge structure, with three lanes in each direction.

The unplanned closure of the westbound lanes in mid-December caused widespread traffic disruptions, transforming a typical 40- to 45-minute commute into several hours for many commuters, leading to diversions and long delays. Some schools were forced to close and conduct classes remotely due to the traffic standstill. The Washington Bridge is a vital route, accommodating nearly 100,000 vehicles daily.