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Aetna Bridge Co. awarded state contract to demolish westbound Washington Bridge • Rhode Island Current

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Aetna Bridge Co. awarded state contract to demolish westbound Washington Bridge • Rhode Island Current


The Warwick-based company that previously worked on the westbound Washington Bridge before its sudden closure last December is the state’s choice to tear it down.

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation’s (RIDOT) public bid portal Friday afternoon revealed Aetna Bridge Co. was awarded a tentative contract to demolish the bridge by March 2025.

Aetna was one of two vendors that responded to RIDOT’s request for proposals. The other bidder was Manafort Brothers Inc., headquartered in Plainville, Connecticut, but has an office in Cumberland.

Manafort will receive $100,000 as part of the state’s incentive to attract bidders.

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Aetna estimated the cost to demolish the bridge was $45.8 million — over $5 million more than the state’s price tag. Manafort’s bid was for $43.8 million. The overall cost to demolish and rebuild the westbound highway over the Seekonk River is tagged at over $400 million.

A technical review group found that Aetna’s plan was overall a better value and at they indicated they could do the work in 50 days fewer than the bid request asked for, said RIDOT Communications Director Liz Pettengill.

“Secondly, they are assuming all the risk,” she said.

The demolition process is divided into four parts: the Gano Street ramp, west end of the bridge, east cantilever spans, and east end of the structure. The initial RFP noted that the existing substructure “shall remain in place for the potential repair and reuse” in the reconstruction of the bridge.

RIDOT plans to impose a $30,000 daily “disincentive” if Aetna misses the March 20, 2025 completion date. Meanwhile, the department is still soliciting bids for the roughly $368 million contract to rebuild a new bridge by August 2026.

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Final bids are due July 3.

Aetna had previously worked on the now-canceled $78 million rehabilitation of the Washington Bridge as part of a design-build team led by Barletta Heavy Division. The project came to a stop after engineers last December discovered broken anchor rods that put the westbound lanes of I-195 at risk of collapse.

The company was also one of 12 contractors that received a letter from lawyers for Gov. Dan McKee’s administration notifying them that they may be sued over Washington Bridge work. 

“Aetna Bridge Company is proud to be identified as the ‘apparent best value respondent’ by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation,” Aetna spokesperson Frank McMahon said in an emailed statement.

“With over 79 years of experience in bridge construction, repair, and demolition, our team is ready to get to work on this critical transportation infrastructure project for the State of Rhode Island,” he continued 

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Aetna is also working on the ongoing rehabilitation of the Gold Star Memorial Bridge linking New London and Groton, Connecticut, via I-95. That project is expected to be completed June 25, 2025, according to the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

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Rhode Island

RI State Police investigating inmate death at ACI

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RI State Police investigating inmate death at ACI


CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) — An inmate death at the Adult Correctional Institution’s Intake Service Center on Friday is being investigated by Rhode Island State Police.

J.R. Ventura, a spokesperson for the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (RIDOC), said the inmate’s roommate notified staff shortly after 4 p.m. that he required medical attention.

According to Ventura, life-saving steps were initiated after the arrived staff saw the inmate wasn’t responding.

Cranston Fire Department was called and brought the inmate to Kent County Hospital, who was later pronounced dead.

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RIDOC’s Investigative Unit is also investigating the death alongside State Police.



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Tornado, 75 Mph Winds, Ping Pong Ball-Sized Hail Possible Sunday In RI

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Tornado, 75 Mph Winds, Ping Pong Ball-Sized Hail Possible Sunday In RI


RHODE ISLAND — Rhode Island is forecast to be battered by storms Sunday, which are expected to bring heavy winds, and possibly hail and a tornado.

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch around 11 a.m. through 7 p.m. for the state, warning of frequent lightning, likely wind gusts up to 75 mph and isolated hail as large as ping pong balls.

“Areal coverage of storms will increase this afternoon with damaging wind the primary threat, but large hail and an isolated tornado is also possible,” the service said in a social media post.

The storms are expected to hit between 2-10 p.m., according to the service. The watch also affects Connecticut, and parts of Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvannia, New Jersey and Delaware. Isolated flash flooding was projected to possibly occur more broadly between New England and the Southeast.

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Heading to the beach in RI? Here’s how to check parking availability online

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Heading to the beach in RI? Here’s how to check parking availability online



It’s not fun to arrive at your favorite beach only to find it packed. Thankfully, state and some local beaches post updates online on parking availability

PROVIDENCE – On June 19, the federal holiday Juneteenth, many Rhode Islanders had a rude awakening when they arrived at their favorite beach to find it packed. Traffic was backed up, and many parking lots were full before noon, according to news reports.

There’s only so much you can do when thousands decide to go to the beach on the same day, but one thing you can usually account for is whether parking is available. Many beaches – both state and town-managed – post updates on parking status, letting visitors know if there is space in their lots.

Here’s a handy guide for checking if parking lots at your favorite beaches are full:

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How to check parking at state beaches

The State Parks division at Rhode Island’s Department of Environmental Management keeps a near real-time status of parking lots at the following state beaches:

  • East Matunuck State Beach
  • Misquamicut State Beach
  • Roger Wheeler State Beach
  • Scarborough North State Beach (including overflow lot)
  • Scarborough South State Beach

Parking passes are required at state beaches during operational hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Purchasing a pass in advance helps reduce traffic, as well as waiting time at the ticket booth, and gives you access to express lanes available at most state beaches, as passes now use vehicles’ license plates, making it easier and quicker to scan.

More: The votes are in, and this South County spot is selected as RI’s best beach. Find out where

Some beaches, such as East Beach and Charlestown Breachway in Charlestown, have limited parking, and checking availability in advance may not be possible.

How to check parking at Middletown beaches

Middletown posts updates on its Facebook and Instagram accounts when parking lots at its beaches fill up. The town also has a live camera of the parking lot at Sachuest Beach – known locally as Second Beach – where you can check in real time if space is available.

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Seasonal beach passes may be required to park at Middletown’s beaches. They are available in person at the gazebo at the intersection of Hanging Rock Road and Sachuest Point Road as well as online. But beware: Online passes will not be available for pickup at the gazebo until 48 hours after purchase.

Parking at other popular beaches

Other popular beaches, such as Narragansett Town Beach, may not post updates online about parking availability. According to Narragansett’s Parks and Recreation Department, during busier days the West Lot – which is open to non-residents – fills up around 11 to 11:30 a.m. Only residents can park in the North and South Lots – except on weekdays after 1 p.m., when the South Lot is open to non-residents. These lots usually have spaces available unless it is a very busy holiday.

Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Seasonal parking passes are $50 per sticker, and a photo ID, vehicle registration and proof of residence or taxpayer status is required. West Lot parking rates are $15 on weekends and holidays and $10 on weekdays.

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This story will be updated with more information about parking availability.





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