As Buttigieg Testifies on Transportation Budget & Priorities, Reed Urges Federal Relief to Help Replace Washington Bridge
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg testified today at a key Senate appropriations subcommittee hearing on fiscal year 2025 transportation spending plans and priorities. During the hearing, U.S. Senator Jack Reed, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD), urged the Secretary to use all the tools at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) disposal to assist Rhode Island in quickly and efficiently replacing the westbound Washington Bridge.
The Washington Bridge – which carried about 100,000 vehicles per day along Interstate 195 over the Seekonk River from Providence to East Providence – was abruptly closed last December after major structural deficiencies were found. The state estimates the cost of demolishing and replacing the bridge to be about $360 million. During the hearing, Senator Reed noted that sum “is way beyond the capacity [of the State of Rhode Island], and way beyond our federal highway allocations. I would ask you for your help to get us some emergency relief, at least make us eligible for that.”
Secretary Buttigieg, who visited Rhode Island in March to get a firsthand look at the Washington Bridge and the impact its closure is having on the community and local businesses, noted that the Biden Administration has proactively taken steps to assist the state, including working with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), to provide support.
Secretary Buttigieg stated: “That has included technical support and assistance in two main areas. First, traffic management and operations to deal with the disruption. And second, involvement in supporting RIDOT analyzing current structure and developing the RFP for the replacement structure, which I should note was just issued on April 29.”
RIDOT is currently in the process of finding a contractor to demolish the westbound side of the Washington Bridge and has issued an RFP for reconstruction.
Secretary Buttigieg continued: “While we have not been able to determine that there would be eligibilities for the ER [Emergency Relief] program as it stands, we do see how federal aid formula funding and discretionary funding could be helpful here and we are also working closely with RIDOT on identifying avenues and opportunities there. And again, want to be a resource in any way that we can to help those communities get back to normal and get that bridge into the state it needs to be.”
In the wake of the tragic Baltimore Bridge collapse earlier this year, the Department of Transportation provided $60 million in ER funding through the Federal Highway Administration. Congress must supplement those funds. Additionally, the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was supported and passed with help from Senators Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) includes funding that could help pay for the Washington Bridge restoration.
One of the key programs created in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which President Biden signed in 2021, is the National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) program.
Senator Reed, as a member of the Appropriations Committee, helped create the Mega program in order to dedicate federal funds for large projects like bridges that are critical to commerce and to regional or national significance, but too large or complex for existing funding programs. Congress appropriated $5 billion to the program in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to be awarded over five years, through 2026. Under the law, USDOT will award 50 percent of funding to projects greater than $500 million in cost, and 50 percent to projects greater than $100 million but less than $500 million in cost.
A partial transcript of today’s hearing follows:
SEN. JACK REED: Mr. Secretary, we are all aware nationally of the collapse of the bridge in Baltimore which was a horrendous impact on that city, and we are supporting our colleagues in doing everything we can to get it up and running. But you know, since you visited, we had something similar in Providence, where the major bridge that connects the east and west sides of the metropolitan area had to be closed – at least the west lanes. And as a result – you’ve seen it – our business community, our traffic, our commuting, where young people might be going to school or not going to school. The ability to get from your home to your hospital appointment has been disrupted. It appears that the replacement of the bridge will cost about $360 million. That is way beyond the capacity, and way beyond our federal highway allocations. I would ask you for your help to get us some emergency relief, at least make us eligible for that, and your comments would be appreciated.
SEC. PETE BUTTIGIEG: Thank you, I am of course very conscious of the importance of this bridge, especially after walking it at your invitation in Rhode Island. And sitting with the Mayor of East Providence, understanding the impact not just to those who count on it every day but to the small businesses and the communities on both sides. Our Federal Highway Administration will continue actively working with the Rhode Island DOT, to provide whatever support that we can. That has included technical support and assistance in two main areas. First, traffic management and operations to deal with the disruption. And second, involvement in supporting RIDOT analyzing current structure and developing the RFP for the replacement structure, which I should note was just issued on April 29. While we have not been able to determine that there would be eligibilities for the ER program as it stands, we do see how federal aid formula funding and discretionary funding could be helpful here and we are also working closely with RIDOT on identifying avenues and opportunities there. And again, want to be a resource in any way that we can to help those communities get back to normal and get that bridge into the state it needs to be.
SEN. JACK REED: Thank you, Mr. Secretary and let me particularly thank you for coming up to Rhode Island and also the director of the Federal Highway Administration. We appreciate very much your personal involvement.
