The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) and the Gov. Dan McKee administration have picked a company to demolish the Washington Bridge. However, the bid is coming in higher than initial projections.
The bridge has been closed for six months, and since then RIDOT and the McKee administration have been looking for a company to demolish the bridge.
On Friday, it was announced that the Aetna Bridge Company won the bid for demolition. Aetna's bid was for $45.7 million, not including up to $3 million in incentive payments if the work is done early.
Initial estimates had demolition costs at $31 million.
A review committee including RIDOT Director Peter Alviti chose the higher of the two bids submitted for the demolition saying Aetna's bid had the best value.
The other company, Manafort, had a bid at $43.8 million. Aetna said they would finish the work sooner.
According to the Department of Administration, Aetna must now go through a "post-evaluation process to make ensure the entity has the capacity and necessary (e.g., insurance) to complete the project."
The final award is also subject to approval from the Federal Highway Administration.
RIDOT expects to issue the notice to proceed by July 17.
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Source: WJAR 10, ABC 6
