Washington
Washington Bridge updates: McKee lobbies feds, and keeping tabs on eastbound side • Rhode Island Current
Gov. Dan McKee spent part of this week in Washington D.C. as the state’s top lobbyist in an attempt to secure federal funding to cover the still-to-be-determined cost of rebuilding the westbound Washington Bridge.
The governor met with Senior White House Adviser Tom Perez Wednesday to get President Joe Biden’s administration to approve a $221 million grant application currently pending before the U.S. Department of Transportation. State officials expect to know whether Rhode Island is awarded the federal money sometime in the fall.
So how did the lobbying effort go? “Good,” McKee said during his weekly “Ask the Governor” interview with WPRO’s Gene Valicenti Thursday.
“We just made it clear that this is a high priority,” McKee said. “It is a competitive bid, we’re competing with the country — but I believe the case we’re making is one that represents how critical this is and how much an issue this is for the people that live in our state.”
The governor also connected with his predecessor, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, about trying to sway the Biden administration on the state’s behalf, McKee spokesperson Olivia DaRocha said in an emailed statement.
“What we’re doing is taking every possible person who could help us be successful,” McKee told Valicenti.
Financials behind the rebuild project are expected to be clarified after the state issues a second request for proposals. The initial request — posted April 30 with a July 3 deadline to respond — drew no bidders.
When the new round of bidding opens is anyone’s guess.
Vendor feedback to shape new Washington Bridge bid specs not being made public
“It should be soon, but no dates have been put out,” Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) spokesperson Charles St. Martin said in an interview Thursday.
The state’s continued push for federal dollars comes as bridge deck and beam demolition is underway on the westbound highway, which has been closed to traffic since December. That work is being done under a $45.8 million contract between the state and Warwick-based Aetna Bridge Co.
RIDOT does not expect traffic on the eastbound span to be affected by the ongoing demo work — though it has resulted in ongoing night time closures to portions of Gano Street in Providence for the next couple of weeks. State transportation officials also plan to close Waterfront Drive in East Providence for one week starting Sept. 17.
The superstructure of the bridge is expected to be torn down by the end of January, according to the proposal Aetna submitted to RIDOT. Rhode Island Current submitted a records request for Aetna’s full demolition plan on Sept. 3, but still has not received a response from RIDOT as of Friday.
State monitoring weight on eastbound bridge
No implosions will occur, St. Martin said — that way debris doesn’t fall into the Seekonk River and it will protect the adjacent eastbound span, which now carries traffic in both directions.
Increased traffic on the eastbound has caused some concerns at RIDOT, as the state in May paid $2.8 million to Swiss-based technology company Kistler to install monitoring systems meant to keep track of the bridge’s structural health.
“The eastbound Washington Bridge has become considerably more sensitive since the closing of the westbound bridge,” RIDOT engineer John Priess wrote in an April 25 request form.
Kistler was chosen through a sole source procurement — meaning a public bid process was not required. St. Martin said Thursday that was because “no other companies contacted about this technology could provide the combined analysis RIDOT sought.”
He added the new monitoring system is a precautionary measure.
“One of the great things about this system is that it will use multiple communications channels to notify RIDOT in real time if any issues are detected,” St. Martin said in an emailed statement. “This purchase should provide peace of mind to anyone who has concerns about the increase in traffic now that there are six active lanes on the bridge.”
There are no plans for weight restrictions. Installation is expected to be complete in October.
What about that lawsuit?
Litigation against the 13 firms who previously worked on or inspected the bridge before its sudden closure is still in its early stages. As things pick up, the Rhode Island Office of Attorney General confirmed Friday it will post filings on its website as they become available.
Spokesperson Timothy Rondeau declined to say when that would begin.
There have been no major filings since the lawsuit itself was filed in mid-August aside from one hearing to get on the Superior Court’s business calendar and attorneys signing on to represent the defendants.
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
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.
-
Los Angeles, Ca49 minutes agoMan arrested for multiple Los Angeles freeway shootings: CHP
-
Detroit, MI1 hour agoArchdiocese of Detroit’s list of parishes chosen for halted Masses grows
-
San Francisco, CA1 hour agoGiants reassign 3B coach Borg; Wotus named interim replacement
-
Dallas, TX1 hour agoVigil honors victims of Dallas apartment explosion that killed three and injured five
-
Miami, FL2 hours ago
Miami kosher, Mutra, restaurant earns Michelin star | The Jerusalem Post
-
Boston, MA2 hours agoRed Sox outfielder Roman Anthony suffers another injury setback
-
Denver, CO2 hours agoDenver weather: Warm weather to end May
-
Seattle, WA2 hours agoSeattle City Council proposal would use street closures to curb gun violence
