Rhode Island
What will happen to the westbound Washington Bridge? Live updates.
Gov. Dan McKee and state transportation experts will reveal the fate of the westbound Washington Bridge this afternoon and announce a rebuild plan if the structure has to be demolished as feared
The 1968 bridge was closed Dec. 11 to guard against collapse, and McKee is set to hold a 3 p.m. media briefing with the state bridge experts and engineering consultants that have been analyzing the structure, which carried Interstate 195 West over the Seekonk River, since then.
They are expected to announce whether the bridge needs to be torn down and, if so, how long it should take to rebuild.
In January the bridge’s condition was found to be even worse than first suspected and Rhode Island Transportation Director Peter Alviti Jr. revealed that the state was considering tearing the bridge down.
Since then, signs have pointed toward replacement as a more likely outcome than repairing the unusually-designed bridge.
A media advisory Wednesday evening said the briefing will include a “structural analysis.”
In addition to McKee and Alviti, Joseph Almond, the governor’s senior deputy chief of staff who has been overseeing bridge planning, will be at the briefing, as well as representatives from engineering firm McNary, Bergeron & Johannesen. McNary, Bergeron & Johannesen was hired by the Department of Administration to evaluate the forensic analysis and engineering conclusions of the contractors who have been working on the bridge.
(WJAR) — Thirty-two years ago was the commissioning of a Navy submarine named after the Ocean State.
Maria Stephanos was on board the USS Rhode Island on July 9, 1994.
Rhode Island was the Navy’s 15th Trident class ballistic submarine.
It was commissioned in Newport and was the first to be christened in its namesake state.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — They come from all walks of life, including many professionals in the community, taking time out of their busy days to welcome students to school with enthusiasm and handshakes.
“We learn a lot of new handshakes, too,” Kobi Dennis said. “High-fives. Pounds with an explosion. We get a little bit of everything.”
It’s the Handshake Initiative, the brainchild of now Central Falls Police Chief Anthony Roberson.
Everybody can use some encouragement, and students in Rhode Island get that the minute they head toward the school building.
Initially, the students and parents didn’t know what to think.
“I was confused because I thought it was going to be a normal day,” said one student.
“Their parents were getting out of their cars trying to see what’s going on,” Reservoir Avenue School Principal Cynthia Torres said.
But now, they crave it.
“It makes me feel motivated,” another student said.
Dennis adds in an etiquette component.
“Teaching the kids how to shake hands, look one another in the eyes with a firm grip — girl or guy — firm grip and say ‘hello’ and introduce yourself, that’s part of the initiative as well,” Dennis said.
Providence school superintendent Dr. Javier Montañez said it sends a strong message.
“We hear you, we see you, and we’re here for you,” Montañez said.
Torres strategically uses them on standardized test days.
“They say, ‘I’m going to do really good today,’” she said.
“It makes me feel encouraged to do better in school,” a student said.
They’ve connected with thousands of students across Rhode Island.
“It’s about shaking hands and building relationships, but it’s also about letting young people know that there are professionals in the community cheering for them every single day,” Dennis said.
Do you know of a nonprofit organization or volunteers doing great work in your community? Fill out a short nomination form for “Community Treasures.”
A man was critically hurt in a stabbing in Providence on Tuesday, NBC affiliate WJAR-TV reports.
Police were first called to Smith Street around 7 p.m. for the reported stabbing. They found the victim on Chalkstone Avenue.
He was taken to the hospital where he remains in critical condition.
The case remains under investigation and no arrests were announced.
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