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Rhode Island
R.I.’s lawyers warn Washington Bridge contractors about possible lawsuit – The Boston Globe
“Failure to preserve this information could have serious consequences,” Wistow wrote.
Wistow and attorney Jonathan Savage are in the process of investigating who might be at fault for the bridge’s failure, declaring earlier this month it was “open season” on any potential defendants.
The letter also invites each company to inspect the bridge — under supervision ― before it is demolished, taking with it any evidence that the companies might want to use in their defense.
“While that investigation proceeds, efforts are already underway to stabilize the bridge (so that it does not catastrophically collapse) and, eventually, to demolish and replace it,” Wistow wrote. “Those efforts cannot be delayed. … We are inviting you to inspect the bridge now, prior to its demolition.”
The companies have until May 11 to contact the firm to schedule an inspection.
Reached by phone, Wistow said the 12 companies have all either done construction, design or inspection work on the bridge. He said he could not say if these are the only possible defendants in the case, or if there could be others.
“We do not yet know who any defendants will be,” Wistow wrote in the letter. “Therefore, you should not interpret your receipt of this letter to mean that you will be named as a defendant if suit is brought. You may consider it prudent to notify your insurance carrier of this letter.”
The companies that received the letter are AECOM Technical Services, Steere Engineering, PRIME AE Group, Cardi Corporation, Barletta Heavy Division, Aetna Bridge Company, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Commonwealth Engineers & Consultants, TranSystems Corporation, Collins Engineers, Michael Baker International, Jacobs Engineering Group.
Six of the firms are based in Rhode Island or Massachusetts.
It’s not immediately clear how long it would take for the companies to inspect the bridge if all of them choose to take the state up on the offer. But Wistow told the Globe the process of allowing potential defendants to inspect it would not delay the demolition.
“We’re not going to sit here and keep it in a pristine condition for you to come and inspect it,” Wistow said.
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation last week put out a call for companies to bid to demolish the bridge, a process that is slated to start in July and end in March 2025.
The DOT on Tuesday separately issued a request for bids to build the new bridge, which is slated to open sometime in 2026.
The westbound span of the Washington Bridge was abruptly shut down on Dec. 11 after an engineer doing work on the bridge flagged a “critical failure.”
The bridge, which used to carry 90,000 cars a day over the Seekonk River to Providence, was initially expected to be repaired and reopened within three months. But new problems were uncovered during inspections, prompting McKee to announce in March that the state will demolish and reconstruct the bridge.
The eastbound span, which is a separate and newer bridge, remains open and is now being used for both eastbound and westbound traffic on I-195.
McKee has promised a “day of reckoning” for anyone involved in the bridge’s failure. The state was in the process of rehabilitating the structure when the failure was discovered.
The lawsuit is focused on contractors that might result in money recouped for the state, but Wistow said if the investigation finds that any Department of Transportation employees were at fault, that would be reported.
“There’d be very little point of suing DOT,” Wistow said. “But if we uncover something about DOT that was inappropriate, we’re going to report it to the proper authorities.”
See more coverage of the Washington Bridge closure in R.I.
Steph Machado can be reached at steph.machado@globe.com. Follow her @StephMachado. Brian Amaral can be reached at brian.amaral@globe.com. Follow him @bamaral44.
Why is the flag at half staff? These are possible reasons
The flag of the United States of America is flown at half-staff on several occasions, generally marking that the country is in mourning
On Friday, May 15, flags will be flown at half-staff across the United States to commemorate Peace Officers Memorial Day.
Recognized each year since 1962 as part of May’s National Police Week, the national observance pays tribute to United States law enforcement officials who gave their lives in the line of duty, whether at the local, state or federal level.
“United in gratitude, we recommit ourselves to supporting those who keep the peace in our neighborhoods, and we offer our heartfelt appreciation for the service they render to community and country,” reads a proclamation from President Trump. “Their steady presence brings calm to our streets, their dedication preserves the order that allows our Nation to flourish, and their unwavering vigilance is the reason families across America can rest under the promise of a safer tomorrow.”
In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, the flag of the United States at all public buildings and grounds across the country and its territories – including in Rhode Island – will fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, May 15.
Why are flags flown at half-staff?
According to the official website of the U.S. General Services Administration, flags typically fly at half-staff when the country or specific state is in mourning. Observances include national tragedies, days of remembrance and deaths of government or military personnel.
The president, the state governor or the mayor of Washington, D.C., can order flags to fly at half-staff.
Half-staff vs. half-mast
While half-staff refers to lowered flags on land, half-mast refers to those at sea. Both refer to a flag being flown beneath the top of its staff as a sign of respect.
RI’s Verdi Productions films ‘Bad News On The Doorstep’ in Providence
Verdi Productions wrapped filming of Tom DeNucci’s “Bad News On The Doorstep” early on May 23 in Providence.
Verdi Productions’ secret horror movie, “My Boyfriend is a Demon,” now filming in Rhode Island, is no longer a secret as Chad A. Verdi, the East Greenwich production company’s president, has announced the cast and given an outline of the movie’s plot.
The ensemble cast comprises veteran actors and rising young talents. The story follows Mary, a lonely, small-town girl who creates a fake Instagram account that pretends to be boyfriend, a guy too perfect to be real. Mary puts so much effort into making him “real” that he shows up at her door one day.
The cast includes:
- Mattias Ferrell, son of comic actor Will Ferrell and known for “A Very Jonas Christmas Movie” and “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.”
- Coco Arquette, daughter of Courteney Cox and David Arquette and known for “Cougar Town.”
- David Arquette, known for his work in the “Scream” film franchise.
- Rosanna Arquette, David’s sister and Coco’s aunt, known for “The Moment.”
- Bailey Sloan, known for “Ragamuffin.”
- Jack Champion, known for “Avatar.”
- Ever Anderson, known for “Peter Pan & Wendy.”
- Vinnie Hacker, known for “Euphoria.”
- Josephine Reitman, known for “Juno.”
- Savannah Lee Smith, kown for “Tunsel Town.”
- Lisa Yamada, known for “Elle.”
- Ty Law, known for “Friday Night Lights.”
“My Boyfriend is a Demon” is written and directed by first-time director mishka.
“My Boyfriend is a Demon” is filming in Providence
The movie began filming in Rhode Island in April and has rented Providence’s Cranston Street Armory for the month of May to use as a studio.
The producing team for Verdi Productions includes Chad A. Verdi, Chad Verdi Jr., Paul Luba, Michelle Verdi and Sera Verdi. Executive producers include Ketchup Entertainment and Kinolime.
Good morning! Happy Thursday! Today will be pretty unsettled with the chance for showers and t’storms. Friday will still be damp with showers and drizzle, but the weekend still looks amazing!
The one good thing with the rain, for allergy sufferers at least, the pollen levels will be lower. In fact, both today and tomorrow, the tree pollen counts will be low locally. Do expect a spike in the pollen count for Saturday and Sunday with the dry weather.
INTERACTIVE RADAR: Live Pinpoint Weather 12 Radar »
“https://www.wpri.com/weather-now/weather-now-for-thu-5-14-26/” FLIGHT TRACKER
“https://www.wpri.com/weather-now/weather-now-for-thu-5-14-26/” POWER OUTAGES
TODAY
Hour-by-hour forecast for today…
We’ll have some showers around during the morning commute today, but the greatest chance for showers and t’storms will be after 9AM and before 5PM.
Showers and thunderstorms could slow travel around mid-day. Rain could fall heavily at times.
A line of showers and t’storms will be sweeping across the area through the afternoon as a slow-moving weather systems moves through the region.
Highs today will be in the upper 50s to lower 60s with southeast to east winds of 5-15mph.
“https://www.wpri.com/weather-now/weather-now-for-thu-5-14-26/” BEACH AND BOATING FORECASTS
TONIGHT
Showers are still possible this evening; although they won’t be as numerous.
TOMORROW
That low center will be nearby Friday morning, and we’ll be stuck with a damp, cool windflow. Expect drizzle and showers in the morning and possibly some lingering showers in the afternoon.
Highs Friday will only be in the 50s. The average high this time of year is in the upper 60s.
LOOKING AHEAD
Then…there’s the weekend. Saturday looks amazing with lots of sunshine and dry weather. It’ll be warmer, too, with highs in the 70s.
-Meteorologist T.J. Del Santo
T.J. Del Santo (tdelsanto@wpri.com) is the weekday morning and noon meteorologist for 12 News. Connect with him on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram and Threads and BlueSky.
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