Washington
Two contenders chosen to pursue Washington Bridge rebuild • Rhode Island Current
Almost one year to the day traffic was permanently halted on the westbound Washington Bridge, state officials announced they have narrowed down the choice of who will replace it to two finalists.
Vying for the state’s contract are the American Bridge-MLJ joint venture, a partnership between firms based respectively in Pennsylvania and New York, and Chicago-based Walsh Construction Company II, Gov. Dan McKee revealed at a State House press conference Tuesday.
“This is good news, and it’s timely,” McKee said.
McKee was joined by Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) Director Peter Alviti, Jr. and East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva for an hour-long press conference about the next steps for the span connecting East Providence to Providence.
State officials halted all traffic on the westbound section of Interstate 195 on Dec. 11, 2023, after engineers discovered broken anchor rods that put the Washington Bridge at risk of collapse. At the time, the bridge carried about 96,000 vehicles a day over the Seekonk River.
McKee’s administration struggled earlier in the year after an initial request for proposals to replace the bridge drew no proposals from any firm. State officials went back to the drawing board to assemble a request for information and a subsequent request for qualifications from would-be bidders. That delayed the timeline, but McKee portrayed the move as necessary to attract “highly-qualified” companies for the high-profile project.
American Bridge Co., of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, most recently built the San Francisco Oakland Bay suspension bridge. The company’s bid partner, MLJ Contracting Corporation of Great Neck, New York, has worked on restoring the Brooklyn Bridge and was awarded a $79 million contract last June to construct the Port Authority Command Center at the World Trade Center.
The other finalist, Walsh Construction Company of Chicago, worked on the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge on Interstate 95 over the Quinnipiac River in New Haven, Connecticut, along with the Interstate 90 Westbound Innerbelt Bridge in Cleveland.
Four bidders in all
Four prospective bidders in all responded to the request for qualifications issued in mid-October.
Not chosen to advance were Halmar International LLC of New York and a joint venture of New York-based Skanska and Aetna Bridge Co. of Warwick. Aetna has the state’s nearly $100 million contract to demolish the westbound bridge.
Alviti told reporters the two finalists will now start meeting with RIDOT officials to develop the scope of the project. The next step will be to formally issue a request for proposals, scheduled for Dec. 18.
Asked what the new timeline and expected cost for a new bridge will be, Alviti said those details will come out of the bidding process.
Estimates last May pegged the rebuild cost at $368 million and was scheduled to be done by 2026 — a timeline both Alviti and McKee acknowledged was too aggressive and likely led to the lack of bids at the time.
“I’m not going to make any predictions on what these companies are capable of,” Alviti said Tuesday. “Let’s wait and see.”
RIDOT expects to award a final contract by June 6, Alviti said.
Time is money, so even the loser wins
The losing finalist will receive $1.75 million to cover costs associated with bidding on the project — an incentive state officials placed to generate interest in the latest bidding process.
Aetna began demolishing the bridge in September, but work was paused for nearly a month to allow state investigators to document its condition as part of the state’s lawsuit against 13 firms that previously worked on it. Work resumed on Oct. 11 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025.
“It’s been a long road with more than a few bumps in it,” Alviti said. “Ultimately, the people of Rhode Island will have a brand new bridge that will be completely safe, it will be efficient, and it will last 100 years.”
McKee also used Tuesday’s press conference to reflect on the year since phones across Rhode Island blared with an emergency alert announcing the Washington Bridge’s closure — during afternoon rush hour no less. The governor apologized for the inconvenience the commuter crisis caused.
“I know that, and I’m sorry you had to go through this, but it was necessary,” McKee said.
“Like you, I certainly wish I had known sooner than Dec. 11 that the bridge had serious issues,” he added. “Like you, I wish I had known right away that no amount of repair work would be enough to salvage the existing bridge.”
I’m not going to make any predictions on what these companies are capable of. Let’s wait and see.
– Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti
As the westbound bridge closed, gridlock immediately overwhelmed the streets of East Providence. But since the state opened three lanes of travel over both directions of the eastbound bridge in April, Mayor DaSilva downplayed the impact on motorists.
“Traffic has begun to move through the city like it did before,” DaSilva said
McKee said he understands some of the criticism that’s been levied against his administration, but said some of it is unwarranted. He also maintained that no state employee deserved to be fired because of the bridge emergency.
“That might not be the answer that some people want,” McKee said. “They want to see heads rolling. But I’m not going to do that just because of the politics of it and the optics of it.”
Accountability, the governor argued, will come about from the state’s ongoing lawsuit officially filed Aug. 16. The state accuses the 13 defendants of a sweeping set of contract breaches and negligence over decades when contractors failed to detect or report structural problems ahead of the bridge’s abrupt closure.
Defendants in October asked the Providence Superior Court to throw out the state’s lawsuit, claiming McKee’s administration is using the case to shift blame. Motion to dismiss are scheduled to be heard by Judge Brian Stern on Jan. 21, 2025.
McKee, who last March promised a “day of reckoning” will come for taxpayers who have footed the hundreds of millions of dollars worth of bridge work, said he’s confident the case will not be tossed.
“Just like we prevailed in court last week with the truck toll case, I believe our efforts to hold parties accountable for the bridge failure will be successful,” he said.
McKee was referring to the Dec. 6 decision by the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston that allows the state to reinstate its RhodeWorks program tolls for tractor trailers and other large semi trucks using state highways and bridges. The governor said he is still reviewing the decision and is planning to meet with legislative leaders about reactivating tolls across Rhode Island.
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.
Crews are on the scene of a serious crash on I-95 South in Stafford, Virginia.
Virginia State Police confirmed the crash was fatal but has not yet confirmed how many fatalities there were.
All southbound lanes are closed at mile marker 146.
Traffic is being diverted to Route 1 at exit 148.
This is a developing story. Stay with News4 and nbcwashington.com for updates.
Washington
Sounders FC, Starbucks and Washington Youth Soccer launch Washington Youth Soccer Match Pass to celebrate the next generation of soccer across the Evergreen State | Seattle Sounders
RENTON, WASH. – Sounders FC, in partnership with Starbucks and Washington Youth Soccer, today announced the launch of the Washington Youth Soccer Match Pass, a first-of-its-kind statewide initiative designed to inspire the next generation of young athletes across the Evergreen State. As the sport reaches a defining moment across North America, the Washington Youth Soccer Match Pass invites every registered Washington Youth Soccer athlete aged 18 and under to receive a complimentary ticket to select home matches this season, connecting young players and their families across Washington to the heart of Sounders FC matchdays and Pacific Northwest soccer culture.
More than a ticket initiative, the Washington Youth Soccer Match Pass is rooted in a shared belief that soccer belongs to everyone who plays it. With over 90,000 registered Washington Youth Soccer athletes eligible for the program – which includes access to additional discounted tickets for friends and family members – the Washington Youth Soccer Match Pass celebrates those that continue to shape the sport’s strong foundation across the state. Coming at a significant moment for soccer in the region, with Seattle hosting six matches during the FIFA World Cup 2026™ this summer, Sounders FC and its partners are joining together to invest in the players, families, clubs and communities that fuel the game year-round.
“The Washington Youth Soccer Match Pass is about recognizing that every young player across Washington is already part of the story of this club,” said Sounders FC President of Business Operations Hugh Weber. “The Sounders are not just Seattle’s club – it’s Washington’s soccer club. Many of the players who wear our crest today, including Jordan Morris, Paul Rothrock and Jackson Ragen, grew up playing in Washington Youth Soccer. Their journeys are proof that the connection between local soccer communities and Sounders FC is real, lasting and deeply rooted.”
The program is available for the Rave Green’s final 12 MLS regular-season and Leagues Cup home matches of the 2026 campaign, beginning with Seattle’s first contest after the 2026 FIFA World Cup break against archrival Portland Timbers on Thursday, July 16 (7:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV, FS1, iHeartMedia Seattle, El Rey 1360 AM). Eligible Washington Youth Soccer athletes can access the offer through a **dedicated online portal** using their WYS Player ID.
With Seattle as its hometown, Starbucks is deeply rooted in communities across Washington and beyond. Starbucks serves as the initiative’s founding partner to make professional soccer more accessible for families throughout the season. A longtime Sounders FC partner, Starbucks joins the club in its commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for youth athletes and their families across Washington, reinforcing shared values of community, connection and access to the game.
“We are proud to partner with Sounders FC and Washington Youth Soccer to expand our support for youth soccer across our hometown of Seattle and communities across Washington,” said Starbucks Senior Vice President of Global Marketing Erin Silvoy. “At Starbucks, we believe sports are a powerful force for connection, that brings people together through shared rituals and moments of joy. By helping more youth experience soccer first-hand, we hope to inspire the next generation while supporting the athletes, coaches and families who make our communities stronger.”
Founded in 1961, Washington Youth Soccer is one of the region’s leading youth sports organizations, helping shape generations of players and families through recreational and competitive opportunities across the state for more than 60 years. Affiliated with U.S. Youth Soccer, U.S. Soccer and FIFA, Washington Youth Soccer works alongside nearly 200 member clubs and local associations to help grow and strengthen the game at every level, creating accessible pathways and enriching experiences for youth athletes and their families throughout Washington.
”We see this partnership as a catalyst to inspire the next generation of youth soccer players,” said Washington Youth Soccer Executive Director Roger Levesque. “There is something unique about attending a Sounders match at Lumen Field – the sights, sounds and world-class soccer all contribute to a goose bump-inducing experience. But the true inspiration comes from living the highs and lows of a match together, alongside family, friends and thousands of fans, who for 90 minutes, are all on the same team. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with Sounders FC and Starbucks to bring this experience and the joy of soccer to the Washington Youth Soccer community.”
MLS is currently amid an extended break from play for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, with Seattle returning to action on Thursday, July 16 against the Portland Timbers on the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field (7:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV, iHeartMedia Seattle, El Rey 1360 AM).
ABOUT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC
Born in 1974 and a member of Major League Soccer since 2009, Seattle Sounders FC is one of North America’s leading professional soccer organizations. The club has captured nine major trophies since its inaugural MLS season, and following its Leagues Cup victory in 2025, Seattle became the first team in U.S. soccer history to win every major competition (Concacaf Champions Cup, MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield, U.S. Open Cup, Leagues Cup). Since the club’s MLS debut, Sounders fans have set the standard for soccer support in North America, leading the league in attendance for eight-consecutive seasons (2009-2016), routinely ranking in the global top 30 among all professional clubs and never finishing outside of MLS’ top three.
Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to responsibly sourcing and roasting hi-quality arabica coffee. Today, with a global footprint of more than 41,000 company-operated and licensed coffeehouses and a growing presence in consumer-packaged goods, we are the world’s premier purveyor of specialty coffee. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at about.starbucks.com or www.starbucks.com.
ABOUT WASHINGTON YOUTH SOCCER
Washington Youth Soccer (WYS) is the largest youth sports organization in Washington State, serving more than 90,000 players through a network of over 200 member associations and clubs statewide. WYS is committed to fostering the physical, mental, and emotional growth of youth through the game of soccer by creating opportunities for players of all backgrounds and ability levels to learn, compete, and thrive. Through leagues, tournaments, player development programs, coaching education, community partnerships, and initiatives supported by the Washington Youth Soccer Foundation, WYS works to grow the game and create meaningful experiences for young athletes across Washington.
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