PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — R.I. Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti apologized Monday for the disruption caused by the closure of the westbound Washington Bridge, but defended his overall track record under questioning by lawmakers.
During a joint hearing of the House and Senate oversight panels that lasted nearly four hours, Alviti repeatedly said it was still too soon to say whether the bridge will need to be fully replaced, let alone how much that would cost. But he said RIDOT and its outside consultants are working “24/7” to get answers.
“I’m truly sorry,” Alviti said, adding, “I accept responsibility for this. I’m at the top of DOT.”
Jeffrey Klein, an engineer at RIDOT contractor VHB Engineering, testified that “previously unknown” additional defects were identified on the bridge between Jan. 6 and Jan. 16. Those problems led officials to abandon the idea that it could reopen within three months, as Alviti indicated when it first closed on Dec. 11.
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