The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is requesting $220,980,000 in Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant (MEGA Grant) support for the $368,300,000 Full Replacement of the I-195 Washington Bridge project. Full Replacement of the I-195 Washington Bridge will advance key objectives of both RIDOT and USDOT, improving a critical piece of highway infrastructure in the heart of Rhode Island, bringing the asset to a state of good repair, and ensuring the reliable and efficient movement of approximately 90,000 daily vehicles.

2025-2026 MPDG GRANT APPLICATION NARRATIVE

What You Need to Know

RIDOT is proceeding with plans for full replacement of the Westbound portion of the Washington Bridge, including completion of the surrounding ancillary access, safety, and environmental improvements of the previous rehabilitation contract. The bridge replacement will achieve not only the original goals of the rehabilitation project but will provide a new bridge with an intended service life of 100 years. The resultant project will thereby continue the construction process to improve the functionality of the transportation network in the area by:

1. Providing a new Washington Bridge superstructure and substructure;
2. Resurfacing and restriping the I-195 mainline between Broadway in East Providence and the Washington Bridge to restore the bridge to its full capacity, eliminating the current lane drop and impacts from the emergency closure;
3. Replacing the Gano Street off-ramp in Providence, improving the geometry of I-195 Eastbound off- and on-ramp, and improving connectivity along between the Blackstone River Bikeway and the I-195 India Point Park Pedestrian Bridge; and
4. Adding an exit ramp connecting I-195 Westbound to Waterfront Drive in East Providence, a longtime priority for the local community.

The completion of the Washington bridge Replacement and Redevelopment project will advance the key objectives of both RIDOT and USDOT, improving a critical piece of highway infrastructure in the heart of Rhode Island.

Letters of Support

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