RI Sues 13 Firms On Bridge Closure

Constructing any mega project is a long and complex process. The construction company used its resources, energy, labor, and all necessary things to make it successful. Megaprojects provide a guaranteed and sustained infrastructure construction output over a prolonged period. 

When the government takes the initiative to construct something, there are various things to consider because it will be public property. As a result, regional infrastructure projects continue to play a crucial role in driving economic growth.

Rhode Island files lawsuit against 13 companies

When the government undertakes such initiatives, it’s crucial to ensure transparency since these become public assets. On August 16, Rhode Island sued 13 design, construction, inspection, and contracting companies, in Providence/Bristol for not detecting structural issues and problems on the Washington Bridge before the bridge’s sudden closure in December 2023. The action was taken on the complaint filed in Bristol County Superior Court. 

13 companies have been involved and worked on the bridge within the last decade, the 13 companies are accused and the state noted it. Specifically in filing the complaint, Rhode Island is demanding that it be compensated for any cost relating to bridge closure and change of traffic routes.  

The state claimed that the group in a year of work and inspection on the bridge did not even realize the condition of the structure needed to be fixed. It was their responsibility to keep an eye on the construction identify such situations and solve them immediately. The companies collectively have to pay financial retribution for any costs associated with the closure of the main bridge. 

As per the complaint, the companies should have knew or should have known about the engineering features of the construction. Therefore the companies were under a legal duty to take those characteristics into account. The negligence and not taking proper measurements led companies to that situation. 

Consequences of the Bridge closure 

The state and RIDOT (Plaintiffs) stated that this will require the demolition of the bridge, redesign, and reconstruction which according to the Plaintiffs will cost “hundreds of millions of dollars. Also, the amount will be compensated by all 13 accused companies collectively. 

The actual event occurred when a contracted engineer found a problem in one of the tie rods that support the Washington Bridge. It was a major flaw and cannot be overlooked after identifying it, resulting in its closure in late 2023. Another inspection conducted later in the same month uncovered more of the defects meaning that the state closed the bridge to traffic immediately. 

Major firms involved in bridge construction 

AECOM Technical Services, this is the main company that handled the project and early contract from the government, hired bridge construction equipment companies to involve sub-contractors.  

Aetna Bridge Company, Aries Support Services, Barletta Heavy Division, a job-specific Barletta/Aetna JV, Collins Engineers, Commonwealth Engineers & Consultants, Jacobs Engineering Group, Michael Baker International, Prime AE Group, Steere Engineering, Transystems Corporation, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin. These are all 13 accused US-based companies that worked in the construction of the Washington Bridge. 

Why did the Washington Bridge close so suddenly?

The two flaws that were identified recently are the main reasons of closure the bridge. According to the complaint and after examining the condition of the steel tie-down rods are not in a stable condition, anytime it will escalate the situation and collapse of the bridge. Therefore, in this critical situation and the instability of the bridge, closure is the best option for the time being. 

Further investigation after the complaint revealed more serious flaws and critical conditions of the construction. The problem includes the eroded post-tensioning system in cantilever beams utilized throughout the bridge. It was an extensive amount of deteriorating position and the intensity may increase over time. The extent and intensity of these issues make it impossible to consider the Washington Bridge functional and suitable for use.

The general configurations that were used in the bridge, both balanced and unbalanced were very unusual, and the structure was explained by the plaintiff. The setting may not be found anywhere in the country, and perhaps in the whole world.

The beams extend through 18 sections, which can be of different configurations. In the cantilevered balanced structure, the stability of the beam is maintained by the use of adjacent drop-in prestressed girder spans and the vertical rods that tie the cantilever beam to a supporting pier. 

The unstable elements operate a drop-in prestressed girder span on only one side and hence stability is provided by tie-down rods on the other end of the beam but where the drop-in span is located.

Timeline and Background of the Washington Bridge

The Washington Bridge serves as a main connector between the city of Providence and East Providence. It is the main bridge across the Seekonk River in Rhode Island. The bridge was established in the 1960s by Charle A. Maquire & Associates and was constructed by Rhode Island-based Aetna Bridge completed the construction in 1968. 

One rehabilitation attempt happened after a report in the 1990s, and some inspections have also been done in the past, the reports of inspections indicate that the bridge is in poor condition and needs to cover the loopholes. In 2014, the government itself formulated a design-build of repairs on Washington Bridge and gave it to Aecom with the design plan. 

There are other subcontractors and companies involved alongside Aecom company, the prominent ones are Steere, Prime AE, and others. All subcontractors third parties and firms are hired by the Aecom Construction Company. 

Aecom provided technical evaluation and inspection to RIDOT in early 2015 and forwarded its final construction plans and specifications in September 2016. None of the 2016 construction plans included any provisions, or recommendations ‘necessary to completely rehabilitate the existing structure’ as was mandated by the 2014 Aecom contract. 

Inspections continued from the years 2015-2023, with more than one dozen, with some of the listed Defendants performing inspections. On the 11th of December 2023, the RIDOT closed the bridge through an Emergency Declaration, claiming the safety of the public and averting the probable risk of catastrophic loss of life and property. 

Conclusion

The lawsuit filed by Rhode Island against 13 companies highlights the critical importance of thorough inspections and maintenance in public infrastructure projects. The failure to detect and address the structural issues in the Washington Bridge serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of negligence, both in terms of safety and financial impact. The major construction companies were involved in the construction process they all will face the consequences.