This week we’ll hear from House Oversight Committee member state Representative June Speakman. Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti faced four hours of questions during a legislative Oversight hearing earlier this week. But after it was over, some key questions remained unanswered — including how the westbound Washington Bridge passed an inspection last summer and is now considered so damaged that it may need to be replaced. More insight into what happened is expected when additional engineering information becomes available within the next few weeks. So for right now, did the Oversight hearing really accomplish anything? Is Alviti the right person to lead the response to the crisis involving the Washington Bridge? And do state lawmakers have the technical expertise to run an effective Oversight process?
Washington Bridge
Posted inArticle, Local, Politics
Lawmakers vent frustration over Washington Bridge
The meeting at the Statehouse gave legislators an opportunity to share the frustration of constituents dealing with traffic congestion and longer commutes, even if the central question about the bridge crisis still remains unanswered for now. “How could this become so critical, so quickly?” asked state Rep. Julie Casimiro (D-North Kingstown), referring to how the […]
Posted inLocal, Political Roundtable, Politics
RI Senate Majority Leader Ryan Pearson on Washington Bridge, McKee’s budget, RIPTA and more
Legislative Oversight committees plan to hold a joint hearing Monday to examine the crisis involving the Washington Bridge. For now, motorists continue to wrestle with congested traffic at peak times and the ripple effect sometimes extends beyond Interstate 195 into the streets of Providence, East Providence and other communities. If the westbound Washington Bridge needs […]
Posted inPolitics, Transportation
Federal Highway Administrator tours ailing Washington Bridge
The head of the Federal Highway Administration toured the area around the Washington Bridge on Monday, underscoring how the westbound position of the bridge may need to be replaced. “The reason I came up here today is because of the transition from a repair to a potential replacement,” FHWA Administrator Shailen Bhatt told reporters after […]
Posted inPolitics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Feb. 2, 2024
The slow build of anticipation about spring training just isn’t the same when Red Sox management is content to let the team slouch toward oblivion. 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 […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Federal officials seek details on Washington Bridge closure
Gov. Dan McKee’s office revealed the development in a statement Friday evening. “This is not unexpected, and the Governor welcomes the review,” McKee spokeswoman Olivia DaRocha said. DeRocha said McKee instructed the state Department of Transportation to fully cooperate with the information request from federal officials, and she noted that the governor previously directed the […]
Posted inLocal, Metro Desk
Officials assessing Washington Bridge to determine if full rebuild is necessary
More than a month after the westbound side of the Washington Bridge was abruptly closed to traffic, officials were still determining if the bridge could be repaired or must be completely rebuilt, Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti said Monday during a press conference. “It could be a repair of the existing structure, […]
Posted inArticle, Business, Local, Metro Desk, Stories, Transportation
First day of free ferry service between Bristol and Providence sees low ridership, but enthusiastic passengers
Dec. 21 was the opening day of a free ferry between Bristol and Providence. The state started the temporary service to help ease traffic following the closure of the I-195 Bridge connecting the east bay and Providence. It was a brisk but still dawn in Providence as the first passengers filtered off the first boat […]
Posted inLocal, Newport Bureau
Washington Bridge closure causing traffic backups on Aquidneck Island
With the emergency closure of the Washington Bridge in Providence, Newport and Middletown residents are now contending with increased traffic and gridlock as drivers use an alternative route through Aquidneck Island, particularly during the commuting hours. The backups are compounding existing bottlenecks caused by ongoing construction on the Pell Bridge. Newport Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong had […]
Posted inEnvironment, Local, The Weekly Catch
Rhode Island’s many aging bridges, Sen. Whitehouse on COP28, and more
The abrupt closure of the Washington Bridge on Monday affected thousands of drivers, in some cases adding hours to their commutes. We hear from two engineers about the state’s large number of aging bridges, and how to address the issue. And U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) just got back from COP28, the UN climate summit in Dubai. He talks about key takeaways and what he’d like to see happen next. Also, a new report connects the dots between fossil fuel interests, climate denial think tanks, and local groups collaborating to oppose offshore wind farms in the northeast. Plus, we look at a few holiday theater productions, and talk about what’s to come in Rhode Island politics in 2024. That and more on this episode of The Weekly Catch.