Transportation
Skanska-led JV Wins $625M Rhode Island DOT Bridge Contract
The project is targeting bridges in "poor" or "fair" condition such as this one carrying Interstate 95 over Jefferson Boulevard in Warwick, R.I.
Photo courtesy of Rhode Island Dept. of Transportation
The Rhode Island Dept. of Transportation awarded a $625-million contract to a joint venture of Skanska USA, McCourt Construction and Aetna Bridge Co. July 31 for a massive bridge overhaul program. Agency officials say the design-build project is the largest it has undertaken to date.
The project known as I-95 15 is needed to address deteriorating bridges along Interstate 95 and State Route 10, according to RIDOT. The project corridor covers about 7.5 miles of pavement that carries more than 185,000 vehicles daily in Providence, Warwick and Cranston, R.I.
“There is no larger priority to the department than the repair of these nine bridges in ‘poor,’ four in ‘fair’ approaching poor, and two in ‘fair’ condition,” RIDOT Director Peter Alviti wrote in a federal grant application.
The project is planned to reduce the number of RIDOT bridges rated “poor” by 7.6%, including elimination of three of the top five most traveled structurally deficient bridges in the state, according to RIDOT. It will also remove permit restrictions affecting most truck freight through the area.
The scope of work includes replacement of 10 bridges, removal of four others and completion of two bridges from a previous contract, documents show. The team would also reconstruct drainage structures along the corridor, which has flooded at least twice in the past few years, and make other improvements such as reconstruction of a retaining wall and upgrading roadside barriers.
Courtesy Rhode Island Dept. of TransportationSkanska McCourt Aetna JV was the sole bidder for the job, a RIDOT spokesperson says. Representatives for the contractors said they could not immediately comment on the project.
Last month, U.S. Dept. of Transportation officials announced they had selected the I-95 15 project for a $251.1-million Bridge Investment Program grant. It was one of 13 projects selected for a total of more than $5 billion in funding. In a statement. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said there are now about 3,000 fewer bridges in “poor” condition than when the Biden administration began.
“For too long America let bridges fall into disrepair, which left people less safe, disrupted our supply chains and cost people time and money,” he said.
Work has already started and the project is scheduled for completion in 2031, according to RIDOT.
