Rhode Island

Washington Bridge demolition resumes next week. Here are the first road closures planned. • Rhode Island Current

Published

1 year ago

October 11, 2024

Washington Bridge demolition resumes next week. Here are the first road closures planned. • Rhode Island Current

Nine minutes was all the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) needed Friday to update commuters about the demolition of westbound Washington Bridge, which is scheduled to resume early next week after an almost monthlong pause.

The update was given at a virtual public meeting — RIDOT’s first such since the bridge closed last December — though it served more as a presentation where staff outlined what has already been torn down, along with what to expect when work starts Tuesday, Oct. 15. RIDOT Director Peter Alviti, Jr. was not on the call.

Demolition, which began mid-August by Warwick-based Aetna Bridge Co., was put on pause Sept. 17 for the state’s legal team to preserve evidence in its ongoing lawsuit against the 13 firms who previously worked on the bridge. The westbound Washington Bridge — which had carried about 96,000 vehicles per day between East Providence and Providence — suddenly closed in December after engineers discovered broken anchor rods that put the highway at risk of collapse.

Three days after demolition was halted, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha told reporters the pause would last “days, not weeks.” Office spokesperson Timothy Rondeau declined to comment Friday why the evidence preservation went on for nearly a month.

Road closures on the way

Starting at 7 p.m Tuesday, RIDOT will close a section of Waterfront Drive in East Providence by the overpass for approximately one week as demolition resumes. Drivers will be directed to a detour on Valley Street — a portion of which is gravel, according to RIDOT.

Gano Street in Providence will be closed Sunday through Thursday nights at the Interstate 195 overpass from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. — with potential for a full weekend closure in late October.

At the time of the pause, crews removed asphalt and “most of the existing concrete barrier,” Assistant Project Manager Steve Soderland said during the presentation.

“And in the Gano Street area, we’ve removed much of the concrete bridge deck,” he said.

Soderland acknowledged frustrations neighborhood residents have had about loud construction noises, saying it would only last at most three more days once demolition resumes.

“Night work will continue throughout the remainder of the project, but will produce less noise similar to typical construction activities,” Soderland said.

Timeline still up in the air

The edges of the bridge are expected to be completely torn down by November — at which point the demolition crew will work on removing the center section over the Seekonk River. That’s expected to take up to four months, Soderland said.

The superstructure of the bridge was expected to be torn down by the end of January, according to the proposal Aetna submitted to RIDOT. But whether that is still feasible is unclear.

RIDOT Communications Director Liz Pettengill acknowledged the Rhode Island Current’s inquiry on the project timeline, but did not respond by publication Friday evening.

That’s not the only aspect of the project still in limbo. RIDOT has yet to open a new bidding process to rebuild the highway. The initial request for proposals (RFP) — posted April 30 with a July 3 deadline to respond — drew no bidders.

“No date for the RFP yet,” Pettengill said in an email.

With so much in question, Providence City Councilor John Goncalves, whose ward includes the Washington Bridge site, criticized RIDOT on social media for holding such a short meeting.

“I’ve got Fox Point constituents blowing up my line trying to get real answers,” he said.

RIDOT did allow those who attended the Zoom meeting to upload comments, but they were not made public — nor were they answered during the meeting. Pamela Cotter, the department’s director of planning said answers would be posted regularly on the Washington Bridge project website “over the next few weeks.”

Those who missed Friday’s presentation can submit questions on the demolition’s public input website through Friday, Oct. 18. A recording of the meeting will be online Tuesday, Oct. 15.

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Rhode Island

Rhode Island man crashes into house in Raynham after apparent medical episode

Published

4 hours ago

January 13, 2026

Press Room

Rhode Island man crashes into house in Raynham after apparent medical episode

A car crashed into a home in Raynham Tuesday afternoon.

Police said they responded to a report for a vehicle that crashed into a home shortly before 1 p.m. on Broadway Street.

Officers at the scene said they found a sedan that had crashed into the lower brick portion of the home.

Investigators said a man from Rhode Island appeared to suffer from a medical episode before leaving the roadway and crashing into the home.

Police said the driver suffered non life-threatening injuries. He was transported to Boston Medical Center – South in Brockton.

Officers said the home was empty at the time of the crash.

The Raynham Building Department responded to assess the home for structural damage.

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The crash is under investigation.

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Rhode Island

RI Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Jan. 12, 2026

Published

16 hours ago

January 13, 2026

Press Room

The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 12, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 12 drawing

05-27-45-56-59, Powerball: 04, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 12 drawing

21-23-24-28-39, Lucky Ball: 01

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Numbers numbers from Jan. 12 drawing

Midday: 3-5-2-8

Evening: 4-3-6-1

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from Jan. 12 drawing

05-08-09-22-30, Extra: 11

Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
Winners of the Lucky for Life top prize of $1,000 a day for life and second prize of $25,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.

When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Rhode Island

Vincent “Vinnie” Medeiros – Newport This Week

Published

1 day ago

January 12, 2026

Press Room

Vincent “Vinnie” Medeiros – Newport This Week

Vincent “Vinnie” Medeiros, 72, of Newport, RI, completed his final round and stepped off the green on January 4, 2026, at HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center after a month-long illness surrounded by his family.

One of Vinnie’s greatest joys in life was golf, which teed off his education and early career. At 15, he began work as a caddy at Wanumetonomy Country Club in Middletown, later moving to the Pro Shop. As a result of his time there, he was awarded a full scholarship and attended Roger Williams College in Bristol, RI, with a major in History. He also attended the PGA Business School I in Florida and continued his career in the Pro Shop at Rhode Island Country Club in Barrington, RI, for five years.

After leaving the golf world, Vinnie began a long and dedicated career as a defense contractor supporting the US Navy at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC). Over a span of 43 years, he worked for four different contractors. Before his retirement in July 2025, he worked with MIKEL, Inc. as a System Engineer/Data Manager in the Acoustic Data Center (ADC) Library, where he supported information and data for Virginia and Seawolf class submarines.

Vinnie was beloved by family and friends for his sense of humor; he was a jokester, known for silly antics and his “commitment to the bit.” Those who called his landline were often greeted by his answering machine saying, “This is A1 Pizza; leave a message.” When accepting an invitation to family events, he always followed up with, “I’ll bring the chouriço pizza.”

He was an active member of his community, particularly within his neighborhood, the Fifth Ward. After 47 years of calling it home, he had woven himself into the fabric of the neighborhood. Alongside a group of fellow fifth-warder friends, he designed baseball caps for the residents of “5W” to proudly don.

Vinnie was a devoted son, brother, uncle, and friend. He embodied what it means to give the shirt off his back to anyone in need without expecting or wanting recognition for his generosity. He quietly took care of the people in his life when they needed him simply because that was his nature. Vinnie was also known for his deep love and compassion for animals, especially his dogs. He could often be found strolling around King Park, enjoying the view and fresh ocean breeze with his loyal canine companion, Molly. He cherished each of his dogs and honored them through regular donations to various charities for the wellbeing of animals.

Vinnie is survived by his siblings, Virginia Dobson (Charles) of Coventry, RI; Margaret Elliott (Edward) of Portsmouth, RI; and Diane Larson (Nels) of Goose Creek, SC. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Jeffrey Dobson, Danielle Beagen, Nicolas Medeiros, Jessica DeMello, Tara Ecenarro, Sunny-Dae Larson, and Lilly Larson-Daniels, as well as 7 great-nieces and -nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Manuel P. Medeiros; his mother, Anna M. Medeiros; and his brother, Manuel V. Medeiros.

Visiting hours will be held Friday, January 9 from 5:00-7:00 pm at the O’Neill-Hayes Funeral Home, 465 Spring St, Newport. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, January 10 at St. Augustin’s Church, corner of Carroll & Harrison Ave, Newport at 10:00 am. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Vincent’s name to the Potter League for Animals, 87 Oliphant Lane, Middletown, RI 02842, potterleague.org/donate/ or to HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center, 1085 N. Main St, Providence, RI 02904, hopehealthco.org/ways-to-give/donatenow/.

For online tributes, please visit oneillhayes.com.

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