Daily Briefing: What did the state know – and when – about the Washington bridge?

Patrick Anderson reviewed hundreds of bridge-related documents. What he found is deeply concerning. ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ Advertisement [eNewspaper]( | [Crosswords]( | [Horoscopes]( [Read in browser]( The Daily Briefing YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP Thu Apr 18 2024 Lynne Sullivan | Regional Executive Editor [@LSullivan73]( If anyone has ever doubted the importance of journalists having access to public records, I suggest they read [Patrick Anderson's sweeping report]( about what he learned about the Washington Bridge from reviewing hundreds of bridge-related documents, including emails, inspection reports, technical analyses, photos, bids, contracts, change orders and lawsuits. Spoiler alert: Contractors working on the bridge when it closed in December had been questioning the DOT's structural assessment of the bridge for more than a year before the emergency. Remember in the scramble to close the bridge, officials told us it was in danger of collapse? Turns out the engineering firm the state hired to study it back in 2015 found structural problems and called for repairs. Worse, many, and possibly most, of the key repairs recommended by engineering firm [AECOM in a 2014-2015 evaluation]( of the bridge were unaddressed by the time the bridge was closed Dec. 11. One has to wonder, could the bridge have been saved had the recommendations for repairs been followed? (It's worth noting that the cost of repairs, at the time, were pegged at $7 million. A new bridge is expected [to cost about $300 million]( This is what we are here for, folks: to hold those in power accountable. Keep following along – there is surely much more to come about the bridge. More from The Providence Journal [Find the latest obituaries here.]( [Subscribers can read the eNewspaper here.]( RHODY RANKS It's no secret that many folks are worried that their jobs could be replaced by AI, particularly those with repetitive or monotonous duties. [OnlineSolitaire.com]( recently conducted a nationwide survey of 3,000 employees to gauge the mood of the workforce. Here's a list of what they say are the least motivated employees in Rhode Island. • #1 Call Center Representatives • #2 Bank Tellers and Finance Customer Service Representatives • #3 Telemarketers • #4 Bookkeepers • #5 Administrative Assistants • #6 Claims Adjusters and Processors • #7 Language Translators • #8 Fast Food and Service Industry Workers • #9 Data Entry Clerks • #10 HR Assistants WORTH A READ Rest in peace to [Arthur “Pooch” Tavares]( member of the iconic music group Tavares. Fans can take comfort in the fact that [heaven’s no longer missing an angel](. 🎧 Podcaster [Kate Winkler Dawson,]( a journalist professor from Texas, tackles the mystery surrounding the murder of Rebecca Briggs Cornell, a founder of the town of Portsmouth, in “Fire and Brimstone,” season 11 of her popular podcast, “Tenfold More Wicked.” 👀 Ruh-roh. People were left scratching their heads at why Bill Belichick couldn't land the job. Did Bob Kraft have [something to do with it]( 🥤 Is cranberry juice good for you? [An expert weighs in](. ⛅[Weather today]( will be mostly cloudy and damp, with a high of 54. TOP STORIES [Will Providence see a tax increase? Here's what's in Smiley's proposed budget.]( [Providence Mayor Brett Smiley at City Hall.]( Partly by renegotiating PILOT agreements with colleges and other nonprofits, Mayor Brett Smiley could hold the line on taxes. [READ MORE]( Advertisement [An angel statue in front of St. Dominic Chapel on the Providence College campus.]( [Gender politics and Catholic dogma collide at Providence College]( LGBTQ+ staffers and students say they have been treated differently, or at times discriminated against. But how does the Catholic school proceed? [READ MORE]( [Redding police provided this photo of skimming devices that were attached to three ATMs.]( [Police: Man installed skimmer devices on ATMs to gain credit card info]( The man put the skimming devices on ATMs at two local credit unions, said Cranston's police chief. [READ MORE]( [2024 Providence Journal All-State Boys Indoor Track first and second teams]( [The 2024 Providence Journal All-State Boys Track & Field selections]( Who were the best of the best on the track this winter? Here are the Providence Journal's selections for first- and second-team All-State in Boys Indoor Track. 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We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require." (Photo by DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images) ORIG FILE ID: 2024169036]( [Events planned in Providence, Westerly for Taylor Swift's album release]( Signature cocktails, wines named after her songs, photo opps and more will celebrate the album release. [READ MORE]( Advertisement Vote with Confidence This 7-day newsletter course will help you be an informed voter before Nov. 5. [SIGN UP NOW]( SUBSCRIBE TODAY Our Reporting. Your Stories. Full access to subscriber-only content on all devices. Share bonus subscription with a family member or friend. The universal eNewspaper, the digital version of our print paper, plus bonus monthly magazines and hundreds of local papers. Original reporting of our hometown teams, from high school sports to the pros. 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