Alexandra Leslie (aleslie@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter covering Providence and more for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and on Facebook.
Rhode Island
RIDOT renews effort to seek bidders to rebuild westbound Washington Bridge
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Island is formally asking companies to provide insight into how long it might take and what it may cost to rebuild the closed westbound Washington Bridge.
The request for information, or RFI, was sent out to potential contractors and posted on the state’s website Friday. It comes roughly two weeks after no companies submitted bids to build the bridge in response to the state’s offer of a roughly $360 million contract for the job.
The RFI essentially asks companies what they think it will take to build the bridge, which has been closed since a structural problem was discovered in December. More specifically, the state is asking potential bidders whether they even saw the initial bidding opportunity, as well as what aspects were “most attractive” and what were “most high risk.”
The strategy of gathering information before asking for bids is an about-face from the state’s first attempt at building the bridge. Gov. Dan McKee’s administration initially took a far more aggressive approach by issuing a request for proposals, or RFP, that demanded companies finish the job quickly or else face penalties.
State officials have acknowledged those potential penalties may have dissuaded some companies from bidding, along with the political controversy surrounding the bridge closure. McKee and members of his cabinet last week called the original RFP “too aggressive.”
“We pushed the envelope apparently beyond what the construction industry is willing to bear — we accept that,” R.I. Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti said at the time.
Now, state officials have scrapped any estimates for how much the project will cost, along with when they think it will be completed. McKee had initially set a goal of reopening the bridge by August 2026, just before the next gubernatorial primary election. His administration had offered up to $10 million in incentives if companies got the job done ahead of schedule.
RIDOT posted the RFI to the state’s portal Friday, giving anyone interested in providing feedback two weeks to submit information. The deadline is Aug. 2.
The RFI stipulates that no award will be made during the gathering process, and that responding to the RFI was not a prerequisite to participating in the future RFP process.
“Respondents choosing to respond to this RFI will not, merely by virtue of submitting such a response, be deemed to be ‘bidders’ or ‘proposers’ on the project in any sense, and no such respondent will have any preference, special designation, advantage or disadvantage whatsoever in any subsequent procurement process for the project,” state officials wrote.
State officials are also asking what they should consider to “ensure the success” of the bridge project, and what incentives or disincentives were “a significant consideration” in any decisions not to bid.
During the RFP process, companies were told they wouldn’t be granted any in-person meetings to answer questions. Now, state officials are saying that if they have any questions about the input they receive, companies may be invited to a meeting at RIDOT.
Just a day before the RFI was made public, a state panel gave the green light for Rhode Island to borrow $140 million to start covering costs tied to the Washington Bridge crisis.
The R.I. Commerce Corp.’s Access to Capital Committee on Thursday voted 2-0 to recommend that the full board authorize the use of so-called “GARVEE” bonds. (The acronym is short for Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle.) State officials are hoping to close on the bonds by Aug. 29.
The McKee administration currently pegs the price tag for the entire bridge crisis at $473 million, including emergency expenses, demolition and reconstruction.
Ted Nesi and Eli Sherman contributed to this report.
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…
Hour by Hour // A close look at the upcoming conditions »
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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The Rhode Island Department of Health issued an overdose spike alert for Johnston and North Providence.
Health officials said over the past week, five Johnston and North Providence residents received medical care for a drug overdose.
According to RIDOH, these municipalities have historically lower overdose rates than the statewide average.
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
Residents can visit Prevent Overdose RI connect with community harm reduction organizations and find treatment.
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