PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Just days after it was revealed no bids were submitted to rebuild the westbound side of the Washington Bridge, Gov. Dan McKee is expected to give a general update.
McKee will be joined by other members of his administration at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday inside the State House.
IN-DEPTH: No bids submitted to build new westbound Washington Bridge
This comes just weeks after the demolition project was awarded to Aetna Bridge Co. McKee said selecting a demolition contractor is good news, even though the reconstruction project is facing a setback.
The governor told 12 News last week the state expected a lack of interest in bidding due to the timeline set out by his administration: for the bridge to be rebuilt by August 2026.
“I think it was a very aggressive timeframe that we put in place, as well as the incentives to meet that timeframe and penalties if you didn’t meet that timeframe,” McKee said. “We’ve got to [put together] a more realistic timeframe to make sure bidders do bid on it.”
NEXT: RI officials react after no bids come in to rebuild Washington Bridge