Gallery: RIDOT releases Washington Bridge deficiency photos
Show severely damaged underside of structure
PROVIDENCE — Tuesday evening, Dec. 12, after further detailing the need to shut down the westbound side of the Washington Bridge, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation released a series …
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Gallery: RIDOT releases Washington Bridge deficiency photos
Show severely damaged underside of structure
PROVIDENCE — Tuesday evening, Dec. 12, after further detailing the need to shut down the westbound side of the Washington Bridge, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation released a series of photos showing the damaged underbelly of the structure.
Earlier in the day, RIDOT Director Peter Alviti and Gov. Dan McKee explained why the bridge, which serves as the main artery connecting the East Bay to Providence through East Providence, needed to be shuttered immediately.
Alviti said as part of ongoing inspections, a RIDOT engineer on Friday, Dec. 8, found the key components known as "pins" in bridge construction to be in dire states. The pins connect the trusses that support the deck above.
After more consideration over the weekend and the submission of a report Monday morning, Dec. 11, the director and the governor made the decision to immediately shut down the westbound span.
The move created chaos in its wake, snarling traffic heading in that direction from East Providence and beyond for hours upon hours.
Keywords
Washington Bridge, Closure, East Providence, Rhode Island
