Attorney General Neronha, Governor McKee announce lawsuit against Washington Bridge contractors

PROVIDENCE — The State of Rhode Island is suing 13 companies for alleged negligence and/or breach of contract for their actions associated with the westbound closure of the Washington Bridge.

In a press released issued mid-day Friday, Aug. 16, Attorney General Peter F. Neronha, Governor Dan McKee and the legal team of Max Wistow and Jonathan Savage they hired to oversee a review of the matter announced the filing of the lawsuit in Providence County Superior Court the same day.

In its complaint, the state brings claims of breach of contract, fiduciary duty, and negligence against the following, with specific claims varying among the defendants: AECOM Technical Services, Inc.; Aetna Bridge Company; Aries Support Services, Inc.; Barletta Heavy Division, Inc.; Barletta/Aetna I-195 Washington Bridge North Phase 2 JV; Collins Engineers, Inc.: Commonwealth Engineers Consultants, Inc.; Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.; Michael Baker International, Inc.; Prime AE Group, Inc.; Steere Engineering, Inc.; Transystems Corporation; and Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.

“The emergency closure of the Washington Bridge and subsequent mitigation efforts have strained our state,” said Attorney General Peter F. Neronha. “In the nearly nine months since the abrupt closure, our economy has borne an immense cost, and our state has and will continue to have to expend significant resources as a result. Today’s lawsuit seeks to hold accountable those responsible and recover the maximum amount possible for the State. Litigation is a long road and today marks the first step on that road. We are committed to working with our partners to secure as much relief for the state as we can.”

The lawsuit comes after the McKee, Neronha and Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti vowed numerous times since debacle began with the sudden closure of the westbound portion of the bridge on December 11 of last year to hold those deemed responsible for the situation to account.

The release stated the litigation "seeks to hold accountable those companies responsible for the near-miss catastrophic closure of the bridge and to recover the significant resources required to rebuild the bridge and compensate the state."

It is alleged that there were multiple failures over multiple years to bring problems with the bridge to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation’s attention and to recommend adequate remedial measures.

“As promised, the State is pursuing accountability from all responsible parties who we assert have contributed to the current situation with the Washington Bridge,” said Governor Dan McKee. “I am pleased that the Attorney General and Attorneys Max Wistow and Jon Savage have delivered a strong case, and I look forward to an outcome that will benefit Rhode Island taxpayers.”

The state hired the law firms of Wistow, Sheehan & Loveley, P.C. and Savage Law Partners, LLP, in April of this year to investigate and litigate the claims brought today, under the direction of the Attorney General, and with his team, Deputy Civil Chief Sarah Rice and Consumer Protection Chief Stephen Provazza.

At a lengthy media avail  in June, Wistow and Savage said their investigation was moving along apace and would likely led to some of action by sometime in either late August or early September.

Since, the state has hired a firm to begin demolition of the 55-year-old west side structure, keeping its proposed timeline for the tear-down to be completed and the start of replacement construction to begin in spring of 2025.