BRISTOL, R.I. (WPRI) — Town officials in Bristol are objecting to the R.I. Turnpike and Bridge Authority’s second request for more time to respond to a federal lawsuit over the release of an inspection report on the nearly century-old Mount Hope Bridge.
The dispute marks the latest turn in a transparency fight that began more than a year ago, when Target 12 first reported that RITBA was refusing to release the full inspection report, citing a federal “sensitive security information” designation.
Bristol sued RITBA and the TSA the following March, arguing the quasi-public agency was violating the state’s public records law by refusing to release the report.
TARGET 12: RITBA won’t release Mt. Hope Bridge inspection report, citing security
RITBA, which has already received one extension, said in a filing Wednesday that it needs another 30 days because the TSA is still reviewing the document and the federal agency’s decision may make the lawsuit irrelevant…