Rhode Island taxpayers’ tab for the Washington Bridge crisis has crossed a milestone, with more than two years to go before a new bridge is scheduled to open.

 

The R.I. Department of Transportation’s latest progress report shows the agency has spent $203 million addressing the failure of the westbound bridge since its abrupt closure in December 2023 — with $368 million still to be spent over the next few years.

 

RIDOT has spent $88 million so far demolishing the old bridge, a task which officials deemed substantially complete last December, according to the report. That number has changed little in recent months.

 

The state has also shelled out $46 million on expenses tied to the bridge’s emergency closure, including $9 million through January to keep tow trucks on standby 24/7 at either end of the span that is currently open to keep traffic flowing. The state had originally budgeted just $2 million for the tow trucks.

 

Outlays are now rising fast for construction of the new westbound bridge, which is supposed to open to traffic in November 2028 and reach substantial completion in June 2029. Expenses for the new bridge reached $69 million in May, up from $55 million in March.

 

The federal government is slated to cover the majority of costs associated with the bridge.

 

See more at wpri.com.