The state launches a legal probe of what went wrong with the bridge and suddenly the ground shakes. You can follow me through the week on threads and what we used to call the twitters. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here. *** […]
Washington Bridge
Posted inLocal, Transportation
Brown University professor says engineers can use AI and digital sensors to improve bridge safety
The closure of the westbound side of the Washington Bridge is raising questions about the safety of Rhode Island bridges, many of which are over half-a-century old. Morning Host Luis Hernandez discussed bridge safety, and modern tools engineers can use to ensure bridges are safe, with Vikas Srivastava, an assistant professor of Engineering at Brown […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for March 15, 2024
It’s just a matter of time until Opening Day. You can follow me through the week on threads and what we used to call the twitters. I’m taking a pre-spring break, so this column will next appear on March 29. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just […]
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley on Washington Bridge, tax deals, city schools and more
Providence is the business, political and cultural capital for the state. But it faces some of the same hurdles as other cities, including the question of how to maintain a vibrant downtown when more of the people who used to fill offices are now working remotely. After decades of talk about the importance of public education, is there a plan for improving Providence schools when the city regains control of them from the state in the next year or two? Our guest for Political Roundtable this week is Providence Mayor Brett Smiley.
Posted inLocal, Metro Desk, Transportation
Washington Bridge westbound must be demolished and undergo years-long rebuild
The state of Rhode Island plans to demolish and completely rebuild the westbound side of the Washington Bridge, a project officials expect to take two years or more. “We will be replacing the bridge,” Gov. Dan McKee said at a news conference Thursday. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation closed the westbound span, which carries […]
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
RI House GOP Leader Mike Chippendale on the Washington Bridge, McKee’s budget, immigration & more
This week, Ian Donnis talks with Republican leader in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, Mike Chippendale of Foster.
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Feb. 23, 2024
Oh the fun the Follies would have had with the Washington Bridge! You can follow me through the week on threads and what we used to call the twitters. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here. *** STORY OF THE WEEK: On Wednesday, […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, Transportation
Fix for Washington Bridge headaches can’t come soon enough in East Providence
Before everyone was talking about the Washington Bridge, the buzz in East Providence was about the Henderson Bridge. The new bridge opened last November, built to address previous structural deficiencies, and the redesign will ultimately leave some 25 acres of land for future development. While not everyone loves the new rotary coming off the bridge, […]
Posted inLocal, Metro Desk, Transportation
RIDOT will add two new lanes over the Washington Bridge
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation announced on Wednesday plans to introduce a new traffic pattern to improve travel times over the Washington Bridge in Providence. State transportation officials say they plan to add one new eastbound and one new westbound lane in eight weeks. That will bring the total number of lanes from four […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Feb. 16, 2024
The more chocolate that can be worked into legislative publicity efforts, the better, I say. You can follow me through the week on threads and what we used to call the twitters. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here. *** STORY OF THE […]