Tag

Rhode Island Department Of Transportation

All articles tagged with #rhode island department of transportation

transportation1 year ago

Washington Bridge Traffic Updates: Navigating Challenging Commutes

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation opened a third eastbound lane on the Washington Bridge, causing delays during the morning commute. The completion of the third lane required adjustments to the speed limit and truck lanes, with further changes planned for the westbound lanes. Safety measures, including increased police and tow truck presence, are being implemented to address the recent increase in crashes on the bridge.

transportation1 year ago

"Rhode Island Officials Unveil New Traffic Plan for Washington Bridge"

Gov. Dan McKee and RIDOT will announce a new traffic pattern for the indefinitely closed westbound side of the Washington Bridge to alleviate daily traffic congestion, impacting businesses in East Providence and Providence since the closure in December. The closure, originally planned for three months, was prompted by an engineer's discovery of a severe problem in July. RIDOT had introduced a temporary traffic pattern in February and will revise it as needed. The announcement will be made at a briefing at 1:30 p.m. and livestreamed on TurnTo10.com.

politics1 year ago

"Uncovering the Impact: Washington Bridge Issues from 2018 to Shutdown"

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee urges a comprehensive review of the issues surrounding the Washington Bridge, emphasizing that problems date back to 2018. The bridge's closure has caused significant traffic disruptions and led to federal investigations into the use of funds. Criticism has been directed at McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, with concerns raised about the leadership and handling of the bridge debacle. Multiple lawsuits and delays have surrounded the bridge project, and the governor is now taking steps to address the situation, including dispatching senior staff to deal with the issues directly.

government2 years ago

"Federal Investigation and Urgent Calls for Action: Washington Bridge Shutdown Unveiled"

The U.S. Department of Justice has issued a demand letter to the McKee Administration regarding the Washington Bridge failure, indicating an investigation under the False Claims Act. The letter, led by the Rhode Island District of the DOJ, focuses on the actions of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and its contractors, including Barletta Heavy Division. The lead prosecutor, Bethany Wong, is seeking information dating back to 2015, and the investigation will encompass multiple companies involved in the Washington Bridge project over nearly a decade. The demand letter sets a deadline for the delivery of responsive documents and specifically targets documentation related to piers 6 and 7 of the bridge.

government-and-politics2 years ago

"DOJ and Inspector General Investigate Washington Bridge Shutdown: Timeline and Warnings Revealed"

The U.S. Department of Justice and Office of Inspector General are investigating alleged false claims for payment and statements related to work and inspections on the Washington Bridge in Rhode Island. The governor's office has confirmed the investigation and is cooperating, while also hiring an independent expert to review the matter. The bridge's westbound span remains shut down, and a new, longer timeline for identifying repairs has emerged. Lawmakers are planning oversight hearings, and state employees are being reminded of options to work from home due to the bridge closure.

transportation2 years ago

Washington Bridge Closure Spurs Commuter Relief, Bike vs. Drive Race, and Small Business Solutions

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation has opened two bypass lanes on the Washington Bridge, providing some relief to commuters affected by the bridge closure. The bypass lanes, which opened earlier than expected, are on the eastbound side of the bridge for drivers heading westbound. The DOT plans to take a similar fast approach when working on a permanent fix for the bridge. Some on-ramps and off-ramps will remain closed, but the bypass lanes have significantly improved traffic flow in East Providence. Ferry service between Bristol and Providence is set to open on Monday, weather permitting.

transportation2 years ago

Rhode Island's Washington Bridge Bypass Lanes Open Ahead of Schedule

The I-195 West "bypass lanes" on the Washington Bridge in Rhode Island have opened ahead of schedule, allowing two lanes of travel in each direction on the eastbound side of the bridge. Most ramps that were closed will reopen, except for a few. The westbound side of the bridge remains closed for emergency repairs, with only emergency vehicles allowed to use it. The bypass lanes are expected to alleviate congestion but delays may still occur. Recommended detours and alternate routes are provided, and ferry service between Bristol and Providence is set to open soon.

transportation2 years ago

"Rhode Island Officials Announce Opening of Westbound Lanes on Eastbound Washington Bridge to Ease Gridlock"

Two lanes of Interstate 195 west will open this weekend on the eastbound span of the Washington Bridge in Rhode Island, according to the state's Department of Transportation. The westbound span was closed on Monday due to broken pins in the structure, and repairs are expected to take months. The DOT director showed before and after pictures of the bridge support pins, indicating a catastrophic failure. Westbound traffic is being diverted along city streets until bypass lanes open. The state's congressional delegation has sought federal funds to accelerate emergency repairs.

infrastructure2 years ago

"Bridge Closure Sparks Commuter Nightmare: Should the Problem Have Been Detected Sooner?"

The sudden closure of the westbound side of the Washington Bridge in Providence has raised questions about whether the problem could have been detected earlier. Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee and RIDOT Director Peter Alviti claim that the bridge monitoring program caught the issue before a catastrophic event occurred. The problem involves a snapped steel pin that holds a beam in place. While inspections were conducted in July and found no reason to close the bridge, new discoveries were made last week. Alviti defends RIDOT's attention to the bridge's maintenance and states that the state's bridges are being continuously monitored and repaired, with over 300 bridges fixed in the past eight years. The emergency repair cost for the Washington Bridge is yet to be determined.

transportation2 years ago

Washington Bridge Westbound Closed by Rhode Island Department of Transportation

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation has announced the closure of the westbound side of the Washington Bridge due to a critical failure of some original bridge components. The closure will be immediate and last for two to three weeks while a bypass is developed to divert traffic. Afterward, reconstruction of the critical parts of the bridge will take at least three months. Residents are urged to use detours during this time.