State officials say the Trump administration is blocking billions of dollars in previously awarded federal transportation aid, including hundreds of millions planned for the Washington Bridge and other needs in Rhode Island. “We don’t know the answer to the likelihood of getting it or not getting it,” House Speaker Joe Shekarchi said in an interview […]
Washington Bridge
Posted inLocal, Politics, Transportation
State officials say eastbound Washington Bridge remains safe
State officials said Monday the eastbound Washington Bridge has not experienced any significant deterioration despite carrying twice the normal traffic since it was pressed into an expanded role last year. The eastbound bridge was reconfigured to accommodate six lanes of traffic, three in each direction, after the westbound bridge was closed on an emergency basis […]
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
Shekarchi on a tough fiscal climate, making progress on housing, and more
Rhode Island House Speaker Joe Shekarchi starts 2025 in an enviable position. He has overwhelming support from the members who make up the House of Representatives — and won re-election as speaker this week with 62 of 75 votes. Shekarchi has more than $3 million in his campaign account — and that gives the Warwick Democrat a lot of flexibility if Governor Dan McKee decides against seeking re-election next year. But Rhode Island faces a tougher fiscal climate due to the end of federal COVID aid. Shekarchi has spearheaded efforts to create more housing, but progress has been incremental and the cost of a home or apartment remains unaffordable for many people. The state faces other challenges with healthcare and the economy, including the potential loss of the storied toymaker Hasbro. So what would it take to make up more ground on these difficult issues, and do state leaders have the right plan for moving forward?
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Dec. 13, 2024
Thirteen items, appropriately, for your Triskaidekaphobia Day consideration. You can follow me through the week on Bluesky, threads and what we used to call the twitters. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here. *** 1. STORY OF THE WEEK: U.S. Rep. Gabe Amo, […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, Transportation
Finalists announced to replace westbound Washington Bridge
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee marked the one-year anniversary of the emergency closing of the westbound side of the Washington Bridge by announcing two finalists to replace the structure and by asserting that things are going in the right direction after some initial missteps. “It has been a difficult year for everyone impacted by the […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Nov. 1, 2024
It’s weeks like this when you think about all the political grist to be sent up if only the Providence Newspaper Guild Follies was still a thing. Welcome back to my weekly column. You can follow me through the week on threads and what we used to call the twitters. Here we go. *** Want […]
Posted inBusiness, Local, Politics
State unveils two-step process for picking Washington Bridge contractor
More than 10 months after the abrupt emergency closing of the westbound Washington Bridge, state officials unveiled on Tuesday a revised process for picking a firm to build a new bridge. Rhode Island transportation officials issued a request for qualifications for companies interested in building the new westbound bridge, and plan to choose two finalists […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Sept. 20, 2024
On national pepperoni pizza day, you could do worse than the Roni Island at Pizza Marvin. You can follow me through the week on threads and what we used to call the twitters. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here. *** STORY OF […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Sept. 6, 2024
Happy PVDFest Weekend! You can follow me through the week on threads and what we used to call the twitters. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here. *** STORY OF THE WEEK: The marquee race in Rhode Island’s primary election on Tuesday is […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, Transportation
State of RI sues 13 companies over Washington Bridge
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha announced Friday that the state is suing 13 companies that worked on the Washington Bridge, in an effort “to hold accountable those companies responsible for the near-miss catastrophic closure of the bridge and to recover the significant resources required to rebuild the bridge and compensate the state.” In a […]
