Stephen Cardi: 10 Who Made a Difference in RI in 2024
GoLocalProv News Team
Stephen Cardi: 10 Who Made a Difference in RI in 2024
For decades, the 100-plus-year-old Cardi Corporation was one of the most successful construction companies in New England.
On December 11, 2023, the westbound lands on I-195 on the Washington Bridge were shut down by Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee's administration. RIDOT officials initially claimed that there was a "critical failure" and that the repairs would take just three months.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTRIDOT Director Peter Alviti repeatedly claimed that his agency's extensive inspection program caught the issue early, and he said that maybe a heavy truck caused the issues on the bridge.
In mid-Janaury, Alviti and McKee held a press conference and admitted that a "complete rebuild" of the Washington Bridge may be necessary.
RIDOT Was Warned Nearly 3 Years Ago
In December, on the night of the bridge closure, GoLocal published documents that unveiled that a top bridge engineer in Connecticut had warned RIDOT years earlier.
Cardi Corporation partnered in bidding for the Washington Bridge rehabilitation work with the Connecticut engineer Michael “Pete” Culmo, who presently is the Chief Bridge Engineer at CHA Consulting in Hebron, Connecticut. Culmo flagged critical issues that were known to RIDOT officials for nearly three years.
Culmo warned in that submission that the design preferred by RIDOT officials had serious technical issues and, due to wear, could cause failure.
Cardi did not mince words about Alviti and Rhode Island Governors Gina Raimondo and McKee for their management failures regarding the Washington Bridge. He says the Washington Bridge is the "aorta" of Rhode Island's transportation system. It is critical to protect the key highways of the system.
“[Culmo said the bridge repair strategy that RIDOT had pursued] would cause those those pins to fail. Culmo is an engineer, you know, a respected engineer — that speaks for itself. I can't argue; no one can argue with the facts,” said Cardi.
Regarding the misleading statements made by Alviti since the Washington Bridge was closed, Cardi said he was worried that it would damage the trust people have.
“Well, even an atheist has to live in faith, because you have faith that the bridges you're going over are safe,” said Cardi.
“It's faith that the building you're walking next to isn't going to fall on you,” he said. “Think about it — it really is 'faith' that those structures or the infrastructure are sound.”
Cardi discussed the convoluted bidding process for the contract to rehab the Washington Bridge, the legal battles, and the rebidding.
He said, “The invitation for proposals [for the second round of bids] on Washington Bridge...[RIDOT] changed the scoring basis from 50/50 to 60% presentation, 40% price. So it was impossible for anybody else to get the job except Barletta.”
Cardi, who rarely gave press interviews during his career, was the first to speak out about Alviti.
Meanwhile, Governor McKee continues to defend Alviti.