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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Officials announced Wednesday a new pot of federal money for the replacement of the Washington Bridge, a $95.6 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
“This brings the total federal dollars to nearly 221 million dollars and that’s a little bit more than what the state requested,” said Senator Jack Reed.
Combined with the previous mega grant that the state received, Rhode Island now has nearly $221 million to replace the westbound side of the bridge.
Sen. Reed called this new round of funding a top priority.
“What we wanted to do was give the state and the people of Rhode Island the sense that they have a significant federal resource available to them to begin the project and to carry them forward, so now there’s resources to begin and we’ll work in the future for more, if necessary,” said Reed.
While the $95.6 million brings the state one step closer to rebuilding the bridge, there’s still no updated timeline for when the reconstruction will start.
“Well, I think we would all like to see the bridge reopen tomorrow, that’s not going to happen,” explained Reed. “We have to be realistic, this is a major project, first the demolition which will renew this week and then the design of the bridge so that it is long lasting, and then the construction which we know takes time.”
The demolition of the westbound side could take until at least February to finish.
Local News
A Rhode Island man is facing charges after allegedly body slamming an Attleboro mother of two during a suspected road rage incident Friday, according to court records.
Police responded near Newport Avenue at Highland Avenue in Attleboro just before 9 a.m. on Friday, where they found Hailea Soare on the ground, bleeding and crying, according to a police report filed in Attleboro District Court.
Gladior Kwesiah, of Pawtucket, was arrested without incident and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, vandalism of property, and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, according to court dockets.
Multiple witnesses told police that Kwesiah and Soares were arguing outside their cars after her vehicle allegedly rear-ended his vehicle at the intersection, according to the report.
All three witnesses allege that Kwesiah, 26, “body slammed” her onto the pavement, while two told police that he also stepped on her glasses that fell to the ground. One witness said that Soares “smacked” Kwesiah before he picked her up, lifted her over his head, and dropped her on her head, according to police.
The body slam can be seen in videos shared by local news stations. The police report notes that Soares is 5 feet tall and 120 pounds, while Kwesiah is 6 foot 3 inches and more than 300 pounds.
Soares was transported to Study Memorial Hospital, where she was treated for a fractured knee, fractured foot, and head laceration, according to police.
She also suffered damage to her eye socket and “a serious skull injury,” a GoFundMe started by her family said. The fundraiser has collected more than $18,000 from nearly 500 donors out of its $30,000 goal, as of Sunday evening.
“As a single mother of two young children, Hailea now faces an uphill battle – physically, emotionally, and financially,” the GoFundMe said. “These injuries will keep her out of work for months. The financial strain of medical bills, therapy costs, and providing for her children is overwhelming.”
Kwesiah was held in the Bristol County House of Correction after not posting bail on Friday.
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A man who stole an unoccupied cruiser in Rhode Island was stopped on Route 2 in Preston after a chase early Saturday morning, according to Connecticut State Police.
Connecticut State Police was notified about a stolen Providence, Rhode Island, police cruiser on Interstate 95 South crossing into Connecticut from Rhode Island around 2:30 a.m.
The stolen cruiser was reportedly seen on I-95 south near exit 89, but then took the exit 88 off ramp to Route 117 in Groton as it saw another Connecticut State Police cruiser approaching.
Multiple Connecticut State Police cruisers turned on their emergency lights and sirens in an attempt to stop the stolen cruiser. According to Connecticut State Police, the stolen cruiser was traveling over 100 mph at times on Route 117.
Ledyard Police Department was then notified and deployed stop sticks near Route 117 and Route 2a. The stolen cruiser slowed to a stop near Route 2a and the driver was taken into custody.
The 27-year-old man from Pawtucket, Rhode Island, is facing charges including reckless driving, engaging police in pursuit, failure to drive in the proper lane, larceny and interfering with officer/resisting. He was not able to post the $50,000 bond and is due in court on Monday.
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 4, 2025, results for each game:
26-32-43-54-56, Powerball: 24, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
03-09-27-29-33, Lucky Ball: 06
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Midday: 5-8-4-4
Evening: 1-2-7-5
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
13-16-19-23-33, Extra: 30
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
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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