"Washington Bridge Investigation: Insights from Internal Emails and Traffic Management Efforts"

Internal emails from Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) shed light on the response to the critical failure of the Washington Bridge, revealing discussions about the failed rods and potential solutions. The bridge was urgently shut down during rush hour, causing traffic disruptions, and the state is now awaiting a report on repair options, including the possibility of a full rebuild. The U.S. Department of Justice has ordered the state DOT to turn over records related to the bridge amid an investigation of potential violations of federal contracting fraud law. Governor Dan McKee was not informed of the critical failure until hours after the closure, and the state is seeking flexibility from FEMA for federal disaster aid.