Governor Dan McKee is seeking a "Mega Grant" from the federal government to cover 60-percent of the cost to rebuild the Washington Bridge.
The request comes after the Rhode Island Department of Transportation updated its estimates for the costs of the bridge's demolition and rebuild to include a change of scope, contingency dollars and construction incentives.
Separate from the demolition and rebuild costs, the State is estimating it needs around 46-million-dollars for emergency expenses, including work to stabilize the old bridge and funding to account for safety and transportation-related expenses.
The Governor had anticipated a project of some 300 million dollars. Well that price tag has jumped to 455 million dollars.
(Photo Credit: Rhode Island Department of Transportation)