State of Rhode Island Sues 13 Companies Over Washington Bridge

The lawsuit announced Aug. 16 alleges breach of contract, fiduciary duty and negligence

Gov. Dan McKee had pledged to deliver a day of accountability — and he said that moment has come.
Gov. Dan McKee had pledged to deliver a day of accountability — and he said that moment has come.
Ian Donnis/The Public’s Radio
Share
Gov. Dan McKee had pledged to deliver a day of accountability — and he said that moment has come.
Gov. Dan McKee had pledged to deliver a day of accountability — and he said that moment has come.
Ian Donnis/The Public’s Radio
State of Rhode Island Sues 13 Companies Over Washington Bridge
Copy

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha announced on Aug. 16 that the state is suing 13 companies that worked on the Washington Bridge. The suit was filed in an effort “to hold accountable those companies responsible for the near-miss catastrophic closure of the bridge and to recover the significant resources required to rebuild the bridge and compensate the state.”

Neronha said in a statement that a complaint in Providence Superior Court alleges that the companies failed in a timely way to adequately identify worsening structural issues that led to the emergency closing of the bridge in December 2023. The lawsuit includes claims of breach of contract, fiduciary duty and negligence, with claims varying against the defendants.

The companies named in the lawsuit are AECOM Technical Services, Inc.; Aetna Bridge Company; Aries Support Services, Inc.; Barletta Heavy Division, Inc.; Barletta/Aetna I-195 Washington Bridge North Phase 2 JV; Collins Engineers, Inc.; Commonwealth Engineers Consultants, Inc.; Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.; Michael Baker International, Inc.; Prime AE Group, Inc.; Steere Engineering, Inc.; Transystems Corporation; and Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.

This story was reported by The Public’s Radio. You can read the entire story here.

Researchers tested therapy and follow-up support for people behind bars in Rhode Island and Michigan — and saw suicide attempts drop 55% after release
The Patriots will take on the Broncos in Denver next Sunday, with the winner advancing to the NFL’s title game in three weeks
‘We found there is a corrosion effect on sharks’ teeth, their whole ecological success in the ocean as the rulers of other populations could be in danger’
Brian Evers, a trucker for freight company XPO, has driven enough miles to circle the earth 80 times without an accident
The state can now work with the bankrupt owner of Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima hospital to determine what happens next
Gov. McKee had the spotlight this week, but the budget process – and the fate of the millionaires’ tax – has a long way to go