RI Sues 13 Companies Over Washington Bridge Failures

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island filed a lawsuit against 13 companies in connection to the failures on the Washington Bridge, Attorney General Peter Neronha said Friday.

State officials said the companies provided design, construction, and inspection services to the state regarding the Washington Bridge. According to state officials, the lawsuit aims to hold accountable those companies responsible for the near-miss catastrophic closure of the bridge and to recover the money needed to rebuild the bridge.

The companies listed as defendants in the lawsuit include:

• AECOM Technical Services Inc.
• Aetna Bridge Company
• Aries Support Services Inc.
• Barletta Heavy Division Inc.
• Barletta/Aetna I-195 Washington Bridge North Phase 2 JV
• Collins Engineers Inc.
• Commonwealth Engineers Consultants Inc.
• Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.
• Michael Baker International Inc.
• Prime AE Group Inc.
• Steere Engineering Inc.
• Transystems Corporation
• Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc.

According to the complaint, filed in Providence County Superior Court, the companies failed to "timely and adequately identify worsening structural issues that ultimately led to the sudden and unexpected closure of the Washington Bridge." The lawsuit also argues there were numerous failures over several years to bring problems with the bridge to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation’s attention and to recommend adequate remedial measures.

"The emergency closure of the Washington Bridge and subsequent mitigation efforts have strained our state," Neronha said. "In the nearly nine months since the abrupt closure, our economy has borne an immense cost, and our state has and will continue to have to expend significant resources as a result. Today’s lawsuit seeks to hold accountable those responsible and recover the maximum amount possible for the state. Litigation is a long road, and today marks the first step on that road. We are committed to working with our partners to secure as much relief for the state as we can."

In the complaint, state officials accuse the companies of breach of contract, fiduciary duty, and negligence, with specific claims varying among the defendants.

"As promised, the state is pursuing accountability from all responsible parties who we assert have contributed to the current situation with the Washington Bridge," Gov. Dan McKee said. "I am pleased that the attorney general and attorneys Max Wistow and Jon Savage have delivered a strong case, and I look forward to an outcome that will benefit Rhode Island taxpayers."

The state hired the law firms of Wistow, Sheehan & Loveley, P.C. and Savage Law Partners, LLP, to investigate and litigate the case.

Read more on the Washington Bridge situation

• Washington Bridge Needs Full Replacement Or Major Repairs: Report
• Washington Bridge Getting Additional Travel Lanes: McKee, RIDOT
• 'Critical Failure' Closes Washington Bridge, Possibly For Months
• I-195 West Bypass Lanes Open Early On Washington Bridge
• Bypass Lanes, Ferries, Small Business Relief: Washington Bridge Update
• RI Small Business Loans Approved In Wake Of Bridge Shutdown: Report
• Bristol-Providence Ferry Service Ends.

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