We’ve been asking for your questions as part of our project Breaking Point: The Washington Bridge. Political reporter Ian Donnis responds to a question from community member Isabella D., who asks: How closely are other bridges being monitored?
How often does the state of Rhode Island inspect its bridges?
Ian Donnis: The Rhode Island Department of Transportation says it’s responsible for 1,200 bridges around the state. RIDOT has what it calls an “asset management program” in which it categorizes the bridges in three different ratings — from poor, fair to good. The worst conditioned bridges are inspected at minimum at least once a year, some as often as every three months. Bridges in better condition are inspected as rarely as every two years, although that is sometimes more frequent for those as well.
How much headway has the state made on deficient bridges since the launch of the RhodeWorks program under former Governor Gina Raimondo in 2016?
Donnis: Well, let’s listen to a clip of then Vice President Joe Biden back in 2016 when he visited an overpass on Warren Avenue in East Providence, and was appalled by how wooden structures were being used to hold up a bridge.
(Audio clip) Joe Biden: “For ten years, you’ve had Lincoln Logs holding the damn thing up. I mean, it is, it is shameful!”
Donnis: In the time since, RIDOT says it’s been steadily working to upgrade the bridges in the state. As of the latest numbers, RIDOT has started work on 435 bridges, according to the transportation agency, and it’s finished 302 of those. People have seen a lot of construction around the state, and RIDOT is making headway, as those numbers indicate.
How can people find out more about the condition of a particular bridge?
RIDOT has a section of its website. It’s called “Our Bridges,” and there’s an interactive map there where you can zoom in on every bridge in the state, see what its condition is and get more information.
This story is part of Breaking Point: The Washington Bridge, a community-centered project from Rhode Island PBS and The Public’s Radio.
Do you have a question about the Washington Bridge? Submit it in the form below, or share your Washington Bridge story with us here.
