McKee Admin Refuses to Answer Many Questions About No-Bid Ferry Contracts - RIDOT Bridge Failure
GoLocalProv News Team
McKee Admin Refuses to Answer Many Questions About No-Bid Ferry Contracts - RIDOT Bridge Failure
GoLocal has learned that at least two Rhode Island business groups had reached out to the McKee administration to provide ferry service and were never contacted. Neither wanted to speak on the record for fear of retribution.
Just two weeks before Christmas, Rhode Island was thrust into chaos due to the failure of RIDOT to maintain the bridge properly. Businesses and schools were forced to close, and the commute for much of the state has turned into an odyssey.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe McKee administration claims it does not need to follow purchasing laws in this situation, and it is refusing to release a copy of the scope of work, the request for proposals, or the contracts.
The McKee administration has greenlighted millions in expenditures over the next 98 days.
McKee’s office refused to directly answer questions and directed the questions to RIDOT, an agency that has repeatedly been found to lie to the public. A series of GoLocal investigations over the past three years has uncovered repeated false statements by RIDOT officials, including Director Peter Alviti.
The state’s transportation infrastructure is in chaos due to the failure of RIDOT to properly maintain the Washington Bridge and to properly inspect the bridge.
RIDOT's Charles St. Martin, III claims, "The contracts for the ferry service allow the state to cancel at any time with two weeks' notice. RIDOT will be evaluating ridership on a daily basis to evaluate the demand while containing costs. With the bypass now open earlier than expected and traffic continuing to approve – it’s likely that the ferry will NOT operate the full-time span as suggested in the contract."
RIDOT hired SeaStreak, Interstate Navigation, and Rhode Island Fast Ferry which already hold permits to run ferry service in state waterways.
According to St. Martin, "There are three agreements – maximum cost is $25,000 per day with SeaStreak and $13,200 per day with Interstate Navigation and $12,500 per day with Rhode Island Fast Ferry – for 98 days. This does not include fuel, which would be a maximum of $1.2 million, and barge rental and mobilization/demobilization costs (approximately $358,000)."
The ferries are being paid for by state funds. St. Martin claims that the procurement is legal under "Type 1 Emergencies."