McKee Defends Alviti's Lies, Gov Claims “Day of Accountability Coming” on Washington Bridge

McKee Defends Alviti's Lies, Gov Claims “Day of Accountability Coming” on Washington Bridge

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee announced that the failed westbound Washington Bridge, which has been closed since December, is going to be replaced to the tune of $250 to $300 million dollars. 

However, McKee and Rhode Island Department of Transportation (DOT) Director Peter Alviti have a track record of providing false information about Washington Bridge. Alviti's lies track back to the 6/10 project, where he denied contaminated material was improperly dumped in the Olneyville neighborhood.

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At a press conference on Thursday afternoon, McKee promised that a “day of accountability” is coming for those responsible for the debacle that has negatively impacted the lives and economic livelihoods of Rhode Islanders. 

McKee continued to defend Alviti's tenure.

Alviti lied when he said contamination was not present at the 6/10 construction site, and contractor Barletta Heavy Engineering — who presently has a contract with the DOT for work on the Washington Bridge — paid a $1.5M penalty and signed a federal non-prosecution agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice; the Massachusetts-based firm is currently under indictment in Rhode Island

As GoLocal reported this week, Barletta CEO Vincent Barletta is facing a myriad of legal issues, including being cited by the Massachusetts State Police for leaving the scene of a car accident that resulted in injury; Barletta was arrested in Needham last month on driving-under-the-influence charges. 

“Is this the standard you hold your administration to?” asked GoLocal News Editor Kate Nagle. 

“I’m not going to talk to the legal issues outside of what we’re here to [discuss] today and let those unfold,” said McKee, who then tried to move on from the question. 

When Nagle then asked if he tolerated lying by members of his administration, McKee said he does not. 

“No,” said McKee.

 

 

Failure in Focus

McKee acknowledged on Wednesday that based on engineering reports, the scope of the failure of the Washington Bridge was greater than previously reported by his administration. 

In his remarks, McKee said the engineering reports made clear that the ’tie-down rods’ - or pins - “are not the only problem with this bridge; the findings show additional, structural deficiencies that cannot viably be repaired.”

“For that reason, we must replace the infrastructure — the superstructure, and part, or all of the substructure,” said McKee.

McKee, while continuing to back Aliviti, said the “day of accountability is coming and it’s coming soon.”

Meanwhile, Rhode Islanders — and the business community — are bracing themselves for the years of construction ahead.

“The RI Hospitality Association is deeply concerned about the potential impact the Washington Bridge tear down will have on businesses in the East Bay,” said Heather R. Singleton, Interim CEO, RI Hospitality Association. “We are undertaking a number of initiatives designed to assist the hospitality community as a whole, including: discussions with state leaders to find solutions aimed at easing the revenue shortfalls that many hospitality businesses are experiencing due to the closure; reopening our Employee Relief Fund, which was established during the pandemic to provide temporary financial assistance to hospitality employees; and offering hospitality businesses in the East Bay, who are not members, with a free 12-month membership to the RI Hospitality Association.”

The East Providence Rhode Island State Senate delegation —  Majority Whip Valarie J. Lawson (D – Dist. 14, East Providence), Robert Britto (D – Dist. 18, East Providence, Pawtucket), and Pamela J. Lauria (D – Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence) — issued the following statement. 

“Now that we have a clear path forward, it is critical that we move as expeditiously as possible to replace the bridge. Safety is our paramount concern. At the same time, we need to explore every option to provide relief to residents who have experienced such tremendous disruption to their lives and livelihoods, from improving temporary traffic patterns to supporting local businesses. We will continue to advocate for transparency and accountability. We look forward to a hearing on legislation we submitted to ensure our constituents receive timely, thorough information about the timeline involved and the steps being taken to alleviate traffic and other concerns while work continues. We look forward to reviewing the forensic report.”

See the structural analysis, McNary, Bergeron & Johannesen’s review and the presentation from Thursday's briefing click here (scroll down to the bottom of the page to the section titled 'Additional Information & Graphics.')