RIDOT Holds 8 Minute Community Mtg. on Washington Bridge: “It Was a Slap in the Face,” Says Neighbor
GoLocalProv News Team
RIDOT Holds 8 Minute Community Mtg. on Washington Bridge: “It Was a Slap in the Face,” Says Neighbor
The online meeting was scheduled by RIDOT for 6 PM on Friday before a three-day holiday weekend.
Let by RIDOT Acting Manager of Project Management David Walsh, the presentation lasted 8 minutes.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTRIDOT did not allow the public to speak and refused to answer questions during the forum, which began at 6:07 PM and was concluded by 6:15 PM.
Walsh was a player in the 6/10 contamination case. READ MORE ABOUT WALSH BELOW.
“This meeting was a slap in the face,” Lanre Akinsiku, one of the Fox Point residents who lives a few hundred feet away from the Washington Bridge.
“It is absolutely insulting to Fox Point neighbors,” said Akinsiku about the unwillingness to discuss the project with the community.
State Senator Sam Zurier, who represents the Fox Point neighborhood, was critical of RIDOT’s handling of the event. “RIDOT officials failed to notify the neighbors before the demolition. They are not following their own guidelines," said Zurier in an interview with GoLocal.
However, Representative Chris Blazejewski said he believes RIDOT will be responsive.
"I attended the virtual town hall hosted by RIDOT this evening along with many of my neighbors. While I had wished the town hall would have provided more details and an opportunity for live question-and-answer, I'm hopeful that RIDOT will be responsive to the serious concerns that have been raised about the demolition project and will work to mitigate the impact on the neighborhood, including from noise, dust, debris and traffic,” said Blazejewski in a statement to GoLocal.
GoLocal drone footage shows, however, that RIDOT has not controlled dust from impacting the Fox Point neighborhood.
Prior to Friday's event, RIDOT had promised community involvement in the meeting - before failing to do so.
In a letter to the two legislators, RIDOT wrote:
Dear Rep. Blazejewski, and Sen. Zurier,
RIDOT has plans to host a virtual Town Hall meeting to address any questions or concerns regarding the demolition portion of the Washington Bridge repairs. We have worked with both cities, Providence and East Providence, and we plan to have the virtual Town Hall meeting this Friday, Oct.11, at 6 p.m.
The Director would like to extend this opportunity to you, to let us know if there is anyone you feel that should be included in our invitation list. The invitation will be sent as a ZOOM meeting invite. The current list will include any individuals who have signed up to receive any information about the bridge, as well as those who attend our East Bay Bridge Teams meetings.
If there is anyone else you would like to extend the invitation to, please let us know.
Thank you,
Lindsey M. Sasso
Programming Services Officer
Government and Legislative Affairs
This is the second time RIDOT has failed to follow through on meeting with neighbors.
RIDOT Letter Contained Promises to the Neighborhood
In a letter from RIDOT official Lori Fisette to Blazejewski dated August 22, 2024, it was stated, "The Contractor is required to comply with the Department's Noise Abatement Policy. The loudest noise and concussive generating activity is expected to be the use of excavator-mounted hydraulic demolition hammers. As best as possible, we will schedule the use of this equipment during the daytime hours."
Further, RIDOT promised to include the public.
The letter stated:
Public Outreach:
Details about construction communication will be described in the Project Public Involvement Plan developed at the onset of the project and informed by community knowledge. Whether it be noise, dust, or concerns about traffic impacts. we recognize the possible impact to those living adjacent to the project. The contractor in coordination with the Department, will:
1. Coordinate meetings with stakeholders.
2. Host a meeting for interested neighborhood groups, businesses, professional groups, and other organizations.
Topics to be covered can include updates to milestones of contract work and any major traffic changes/impacts planned
Provide graphics/visual aids, handouts as applicable
Meetings can be hosted virtually
RIDOT never held those meetings.
Demolition is scheduled to begin again on Tuesday night.
As GoLocal reported in September 2020, "RIDOT Piled Contaminated Soil Next to Their Home, Tried to Get Family to Sign Release for $12,600."
In the 6/10 contamination case, Walsh tried to pressure the Carmona family, who lived next to the contaminated soil in Olneyville, to sign an agreement with the State of Rhode Island to release the state from any and all claims.
“In October of 2019, David Walsh tried to get us to sign a release for any damages, we showed it to a family friend who said ‘do not sign’ the release. [Walsh] asked us repeatedly [to sign the agreement] and told us to hurry,” said Teofilo Carmona during an interview in his backyard in 2020, one of the neighbors impacted by the project.
The total amount offered by the state was $12,600.
Walsh, at the time, served as Assistant Director of Administrative Services, told GoLocal, “Sometime this summer, someone from Barletta went over and talked to the Carmonas about the problems."
“You probably should speak to someone at RDOT's communication office. I do know this, the supervisor for Barletta went to Mr. Carmona and talked to him,” Walsh added before ending the call.
Later, the Department of Justice took action. Barletta signed a non-prosecution agreement with the U.S. Attorney's office and paid $1.5 million.
Ferriera later pled guilty to federal felony charges for his involvement in the cases. And, presently, Ferreira is presently facing state charges. Barletta, the lead contractor on 6/10, was also a lead contractor on the Washington Bridge when it was shut down.
The company is facing multiple charges for its role in the 6/10 contamination case.
Walsh, who joined RIDOT in March 2018 previously served as Vice President of Licensed Retail for Bassett Furniture Industries for 11 years.
He is paid $141,312.21, according to state records.
EDITOR'S NOTE: As GoLocal has chronicled, many of RIDOT's claims about the Washington Bridge during the past ten months have proven to be false.