On April 29, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation got its final permit for the Washington Bridge replacement, coming from the Coast Guard in the final throes of the DHS shutdown.

 

“We were very excited,” said RIDOT’s project manager, Peter DeSimone.

 

The westbound side of the bridge, which carries I-195 over the Seekonk River, has been shut down for more than two years after its abrupt closure in December 2023. Now, DeSimone said drivers will start to see construction on its replacement in the coming weeks.

 

“One of the first activities will be the installation of the drilled shafts, which are the supports to the piers,” DeSimone explained.

 

RIDOT said the work will stay within the footprint of the old Washington Bridge, with the bulk of it happening on the water.

 

“It should not impact the traveling public early on,” DeSimone added.

 

See more at wpri.com.