Construction of the new Washington Bridge in Rhode Island has reached a major milestone, with crews beginning in-water foundation work for the $427.9 million replacement project connecting Providence and East Providence.
State officials joined representatives from the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), Walsh Construction and the City of East Providence to mark the start of the next phase of work, which follows months of demolition, permitting, site preparation and mobilization activities.
The project team has started installing the first of 32 drilled shafts that will support the new bridge structure. Each shaft will extend approximately 130 feet to bedrock, forming the foundation for the bridge’s piers and abutments.
The Washington Bridge Replacement and Redevelopment Project involves rebuilding the westbound side of the bridge carrying Interstate 195 over the Seekonk River. RIDOT awarded the construction contract to Walsh Construction in June 2025, with work beginning shortly thereafter alongside demolition of the existing structure.
Construction cost
Valued at $427.9 million, the project is one of Rhode Island’s largest infrastructure investments and is expected to improve a key transportation corridor linking Providence and East Providence.
Foundation construction marks a significant transition from preparatory work to visible construction activity. Once the drilled shafts are completed, crews will move on to constructing the bridge piers and substructure that will ultimately support the bridge deck.
The project advanced through key milestones after Walsh Construction secured the contract. crews launched site surveys, procured materials, and mobilized workers, while demolition of the existing bridge structure continued in parallel. Demolition of underwater portions of the old bridge foundation began after July 2025 and continues alongside construction of the replacement bridge.
The new Washington Bridge will open to traffic on November 3, 2028.
The replacement project has also attracted public attention over decisions regarding the reuse of existing bridge foundations. State officials ultimately opted to construct an entirely new foundation system rather than reuse portions of the existing structure, a move that sparked debate over project costs and schedule impacts.
Walsh Construction, which is leading the project, is widely recognized for its experience in large-scale bridge construction and infrastructure projects across the United States.
Upon completion, the new bridge will provide a modernized transportation link across the Seekonk River, replacing aging infrastructure and supporting traffic movement between two of Rhode Island’s most important communities.
Additionally, Washington Bridge replacement is part of a broader wave of transportation infrastructure investment across the Northeastern United States. Similar efforts include the US$721 million I-91/I-691/Route 15 Interchange Improvements project in Meriden, Connecticut, which is designed to reduce congestion, improve safety and modernize one of the region’s busiest highway junctions
Washington Bridge Replacement Project: Rhode Island (I-195) – Project Factsheet
Project overview
Project: Washington Bridge Replacement and Redevelopment Project
Location: I-195 over the Seekonk River between Providence and East Providence, Rhode Island
Owner: Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT)
Project type: Replacement of the westbound Washington Bridge
Delivery method: Design-Build
Contractor: Walsh Construction
Design partner: WSP
Total project cost: US$427.9 million
Construction contract value: US$339 million
Scheduled completion: November 3, 2028
Current status (June 2026)
- In-water construction underway
- First drilled shafts installed on June 9, 2026
- Foundation construction ongoing
- Bridge piers and substructure construction to follow
- Demolition of the previous bridge completed in December 2025
Project background
The westbound Washington Bridge was closed in December 2023 after advanced structural deterioration was discovered during repair work.
Following engineering evaluations, RIDOT determined in March 2024 that repairing the structure was not feasible and opted to replace the bridge.
The project will restore a critical transportation link carrying Interstate 195 between Providence and East Providence.
New bridge specifications
Length: 1,221 feet
Travel lanes: Five westbound lanes
Design life: 100 years
Foundation system: 32 drilled shafts extending approximately 130 feet to bedrock
Key feature: Fewer in-water piers than the original bridge
Construction timeline
December 2023: Emergency bridge closure
March 2024: Repair determined not feasible
October 2024: Design-build procurement launched
June 2025: Walsh Construction selected
June 24, 2025: Construction contract executed
July 2025: Initial construction activities begin
December 2025: Demolition completed
June 9, 2026: In-water construction begins
November 3, 2028: Bridge opens to traffic
Funding
Total project cost: US$427.9 million
Federal MEGA Grant: US$125.4 million
Federal INFRA Grant: US$95.5 million
Total federal grant funding: US$220.9 million
Additional funding sources include state capital funding, GARVEE bonds, a federal BUILD grant and repurposed pandemic relief funds.
Project significance
- Restores a critical section of Interstate 195
- Improves connectivity between Providence and East Providence
- Replaces aging infrastructure with a modern bridge designed for a 100-year service life
- Includes corridor improvements aimed at improving traffic flow and reducing congestion
Key partners
Owner: Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT)
Contractor: Walsh Construction
Designer: WSP
Governor: Dan McKee
East Providence Mayor: Bob DaSilva
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