"Washington Bridge Closure: Uncovering Oversight and Impact through Email Revelations"

Lawmakers are preparing for a joint oversight hearing on Feb. 12 to question McKee administration officials about the sudden closure of the Washington Bridge, focusing on the bridge's safety inspection process and the response of Gov. Dan McKee and R.I. Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti. Multiple examinations of the bridge's issues are underway, including internal and independent engineering analyses, as well as investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice and the inspector general for the U.S. Department of Transportation. The closure of the westbound bridge, which carried about 90,000 vehicles daily, has caused traffic disruptions and political challenges for state leaders.