PROVIDENCE — The stresses and strains associated with such a significant and scrutinized project are what state officials believe to be the reasons why no company formally bid to rebuild the westbound side of the Washington Bridge.

Speaking at a press conference Tuesday, July 9, Governor Dan McKee and Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti said it became apparent about two weeks prior to the recent deadline that the Request for Proposal process to reconstruct the dilapidated portion of the bridge wouldn't gather any traction.

The state announced last week no bidders had responded to the initial RFP estimating the cost to rebuild the 56-year-old west span at around $365 million.

Alviti noted the first projections of the cost to rebuild the bridge being around $250-$300 million were derived from engineering estimates based on industry standards, but now in reality the cost is almost solely based on "market factors."

Alviti repeatedly used the word "aggressive" to describe the state's approach to the situation, specifically towards the pricing and building process.

Those were among the factors that led to the reluctance from contractors enjoining the project at the moment.

He said aspects of the RFP were "very aggressive" as was the schedule to complete the effort, which initially was late summer/early fall of 2026.

Alviti noted the state's proposal called for "substantial penalties" if deadlines were missed.

He also acknowledged the state asked firms to "assume more risk than normal" and to be held to a "very high accountability level."

The director, as well, said "the atmosphere of controversy surrounding the project" may have influenced the lack of initial interest.

In addition, Alviti said the state is butting up against a very vibrant bridge building landscape at the moment.

"There's a lot of work out there in the industry," he added.

Later, while taking questions from the media, Alviti said the state was "overly ambitious in regard to the accelerated timeframe and the risk we requested of contractors."

Alviti said of the RFP in general, "We set that bar too high. We accept that"

The governor and the director referred to a new Request for Information process, which will preclude another RFP effort.

During the RFI, Alviti said the state will engage the industry to "reset to get a good, competitive outcome."

Neither official would fully move away from the late-summer/early fall 2026 completion date, nor did they adhere to it.

Said McKee, "The timeframe is going to be what it is."

Added Alviti, "The target date is something that we will still press aggressively."

On a somewhat positive note, according to published reports, the Warwick-based Aetna Bridge Co. appears to have won the bid to demolish the bridge at a cost of around $46 million, again, though, above the initial expectation of about $30.

Alviti said that portion of the project remains on time to be awarded formally on Wednesday, July 17, and that work to dismantle the structure could begin that very same day.

Alviti said the state continues to expect reconstruction of the bridge to begin just before or shortly after the demo is complete in the spring of 2025.

During his extended remarks to begin the press engagement, McKee stressed the focus of his administration is to "reconstruct a new bridge that will outlast our lifetimes."

The state has secured funding mechanisms from various sources and will seek additional support from the federal government.

The governor again noted he and the General Assembly included support for local businesses in the 2024-25 state budget, including significant sums available to proprietors in both East Providence and Providence.

McKee said once again as well the state has hired outside legal counsel focusing on accountability.

He said the attorneys are determining what happened prior to the December 11, 2023 shutdown of the westbound side and who, if anyone, can be held accountable legally. McKee added he still anticipates a forensic report should be made public in short order.