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.

The beloved “Z” returns this weekend with historically accurate renovations, new gathering spaces, and a full slate of performances aimed at reviving downtown and serving as a true community living room
Hosted by the Rhode Island Black Storytellers, the event runs through Jan. 25
A stunning season by the New England Patriots and the rise of Drake Maye under Mike Vrabel, historic college runs and hometown stars staying put, New England sports are delivering an unexpected—and welcome—January gift
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee released his budget proposal. Now the General Assembly will spend months reviewing the plan
Written before COVID but hitting close to home, the comedy by Jonathan Spector skewers groupthink, social justice jargon and the limits of consensus
Counterclaim comes after three years and a trio of lawsuits by North Kingstown country club over shoreline dispute