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$96 million grant rounds out R.I.’s $221 million federal ask for Washington Bridge • Rhode Island Current

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 million grant rounds out R.I.’s 1 million federal ask for Washington Bridge • Rhode Island Current


A nearly $96 million federal grant will round out the funding Rhode Island requested to replace the I-195 westbound Washington Bridge, Rhode Island’s Democratic congressional delegation announced in a joint statement with Gov. Dan McKee Wednesday.

That money combined with the $125.39 million in Mega grants the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) secured in September brings the total amount available from the federal government to replace the bridge to $220.98 million — the full amount the state requested when it applied for grants back in May.

New Washington Bridge rebuild contract won’t be awarded till June 2025

The sum likely won’t cover the entire cost of the project, which has been previously quoted at $368 million for construction, a number which does not include the $58 million needed for demolition of the existing, defunct bridge lane.

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The new injection of the $95.5 million announced Wednesday comes from the Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight & Highway Projects program in the form of an INFRA grant.   

Additional funding, up to $140 million, was authorized by Rhode Island Commerce in July, and the fiscal 2025 budget allotted $80 million of state money for the Washington Bridge’s revival.  

“We know that ensuring this complex project is done right will take time, but it’s encouraging to see demolition resuming this week, the rebuild bidding process moving forward, and additional federal dollars coming in,” McKee said in a joint statement.

U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse supported the legislation which made the new funds possible — the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which President Joe Biden signed into law in 2021. One outcome of the act was a 50% increase in federal funding available for INFRA grants. The $125 million for the Washington Bridge rebuild came from a $1 billion pool of funds available for Mega grants across the country.  

“This INFRA Program infusion for the Washington Bridge fills in a major missing piece of the funding puzzle to ensure the state can get the job done right,” Whitehouse stated.

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“I commend the Biden-Harris administration for its leadership, support, and commitment to a modern and resilient infrastructure system,” Reed added. “The state must put this money to work and keep the public updated with a clear timetable for progress.”

The funds won’t be used for some time. A Tuesday press conference at the Rhode Island State House estimated that a contract for construction of the new bridge won’t be awarded until June 2025.   

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Rhode Island

Rhode Island man charged for slamming woman to the ground in apparent road rage attack in Attleboro

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Rhode Island man charged for slamming woman to the ground in apparent road rage attack in Attleboro


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Gladior Kwesiah alleged picked up the mother of two and slammed her to the pavement during an argument at an intersection.

File siren.

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.

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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. 

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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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Molly Farrar is a general assignment reporter for Boston.com, focusing on education, politics, crime, and more.





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Man who stole unoccupied RI cruiser is stopped on Route 2 in Preston after chase: CSP

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Man who stole unoccupied RI cruiser is stopped on Route 2 in Preston after chase: CSP


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.

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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.



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RI Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Jan. 4, 2025

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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:

Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 4 drawing

26-32-43-54-56, Powerball: 24, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 4 drawing

03-09-27-29-33, Lucky Ball: 06

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Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Numbers numbers from Jan. 4 drawing

Midday: 5-8-4-4

Evening: 1-2-7-5

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from Jan. 4 drawing

13-16-19-23-33, Extra: 30

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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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