Providence, Rhode Island’s infamous Washington Bridge needs to be demolished and replaced. It’s currently estimated to cost between $250 to $300 million dollars, with completion expected by some time in 2026. However, those privy to construction in the small state know how commonly awful it can be: delays, extensive costs, and more.
With this knowledge, and with public frustration reaching a boiling point, what was the response from officials? It wasn’t transparency or care. Instead, Governor McKee immediately proposed raises, including for the RIDOT Director who got us into this mess, Peter Alviti. The mayor of Providence, the city where the bridge resides, took aim at the nearby heavily used and community-beneficial bike lanes to remedy vehicle traffic, something he has wanted to get rid of since being elected in 2022. These proposals are nothing more than the demon behind the curtain rearing its head: corruption.
First, Peter Alviti should be fired. The fact that the powers that be continue to defend him, deflect questions from reporters about his employment, and are now calling for a raise should sound the alarm. Granted, we already know that the story around the bridge reeked, but now we know at least some of the people profiting off it. However, if top officials are publicly showing themselves as deceptive, how can they be reprimanded–what power does the everyday person have? I suspect voting, though, if this bridge miraculously makes headway before the 2026 election, McKee and other officials will surely use it as a stepping stone for reelection.
Second, Brett Smiley should be educated. Actually, perhaps he is, and he may even know exactly what he’s doing. In 2022, by collecting votes from businesses, developers, and wealthier residents while campaigning on the things they support–such as removing bike lanes–he won the election. Two years later, those intentions are still there, yet, interestingly, he recently signed Vision Zero as pedestrian and bicyclist deaths skyrocketed in the city. He seems to be trying to play both hands at the same time, essentially winning over no one and frustrating everyone.
We should be looking for ways to further non-car infrastructure seeing as to how it’s bankrupting our state. In fact, our neighbor, Massachusetts, spends over $60 billion dollars annually to subsidize it. Let’s not forget that as all this is happening, our own public transit is looking down the barrel to severe service cuts that will soon render it obsolete, non-car users face extensive danger even crossing the street, bike lanes face the hill of opposition, and most importantly, our officials appear completely cognizant of all of these facts yet continue to perpetuate it. The dishonesty, shadiness, and deceit must be addressed if we are to move ahead on any infrastructure project, including the Washington Bridge, otherwise, the cycle will persist.