WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressmen Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo introduced $30 million of $220.9 million in federal funding for the westbound Washington Bridge rebuild has been launched.
The state has gained entry to the primary $30 million wave of funds from over $220.9 million in federal grants for the Interstate-195 Washington Bridge, which has been partially closed since December 2023 resulting from a catastrophic failure, the Congressmen introduced Thursday.
The 4 members of the state’s Congressional delegation, who led profitable efforts to safe the federal funds in 2024, thanked each U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Governor Dan McKee for rolling up their sleeves and dealing collectively to make sure the stalled federal freeway cash was launched to advance building of a brand new Washington Bridge.
The federal funding was awarded by the Biden administration. But it surely was halted as a part of a nationwide freeze after President Donald Trump took workplace on Jan. 20 and issued govt orders halting the distribution of federal funds in addition to different federal administrative actions throughout a variety of federal applications, together with freeway and bridge tasks. The orders have resulted in plenty of lawsuits difficult them.
“Everybody acknowledges the significance of this challenge to the neighborhood and the necessity for secure, trendy, and resilient infrastructure. This federal cash is significant to finishing this huge challenge that’s already underway. This can be a constructive final result and I hope the state will speed up progress towards a brand new bridge that meets capability and security wants now and sooner or later,” mentioned Reed, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “I respect Secretary Duffy’s and Governor McKee’s contributions to this course of and can proceed working with them, RIDOT, FHWA, and different transportation officers to see the challenge by way of and guarantee it’s executed proper.”
“Working throughout the aisle with Chair Capito and in partnership with our delegation, I used to be glad to assist unstick this funding for the Washington Bridge substitute as Wednesday’s committee listening to for the Secretary loomed,” saidWhitehouse, the highest Democrat on the Senate Setting and Public Works Committee. “This relieves useless uncertainty in an pressing scenario with this bridge, and I’ll proceed to do all the pieces in my energy to safe what Rhode Island wants from the federal authorities and to maintain investing in our infrastructure.”
“As we work to make sure that federally-appropriated funds are rightfully deposited into our state accounts, I’m happy RIDOT signed a grant settlement to ship $30 million in funding for the Washington Bridge,” mentioned Congressman Gabe Amo. “These assets will deliver us nearer to the day when a brand new westbound span is constructed, assuaging the burden that residents, commuters, and companies have needed to expertise for over a yr. I stay up for persevering with to work with my delegation colleagues to make sure there are not any additional delays in acquiring the funds that Rhode Island deserves.”
