New Facts: Bridge crisis reframes Rhode Island primary debate

The Washington Bridge crisis is now the central issue in Rhode Island’s Democratic race for governor ahead of the Sept. 9 primary. One side of the 60-year-old span in Providence was shut in December 2023 after engineers found serious structural problems. Traffic has since been shifted onto a reconfigured section carrying both directions while the damaged portion is demolished and replaced.

The new bridge is not expected to be ready until 2028, extending daily disruption deep into Dan McKee’s term. That timeline has fueled attacks that his administration moved too slowly and kept the transportation chief in place after the closure. McKee has framed the closure as a safety-first decision and pointed to federal funding and construction already underway.

Rhode Island has sued firms that worked on the bridge, alleging failures that contributed to its condition. The companies dispute responsibility and argue the state is to blame.

Challenger Helena Foulkes has cast herself as the candidate for a change in leadership as the bridge dominates the race, while McKee attacks her corporate record at CVS and its opioid settlements. She has defended her tenure by saying CVS reduced opioid distribution during her years there.

AI-synthesized from multiple reported sources