The Impact of I-195 Bridge Closure and the Rise of Alternative Transportation
The R.I. Department of Transportation (RIDOT) has released an emergency inspection report revealing structural damage to the Washington Bridge, leading to its immediate closure. The report includes images showing the failure of steel anchor pins that hold major beams in place. The pins, dating back to 1968, had reached the end of their useful life, causing accelerated deterioration. The bridge was last inspected in July and deemed to be in good condition. The closure has resulted in significant traffic disruptions, with the eastbound side expected to reopen in two weeks and the westbound side in at least three months.