PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — State lawmakers are proceeding with caution after Gov. Dan McKee announced that it will cost $427 million and take until at least November 2028 to rebuild the westbound Washington Bridge Friday.

McKee said the state has hired Walsh Construction Co. of Chicago to rebuild the heavily traveled bridge that abruptly closed to traffic in December 2023 after a structural failure.

In a statement to 12 News, R.I. House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi said lawmakers will be reviewing McKee's cost estimates and will "evaluate the impact on the budget that the House Finance Committee is preparing."

"Rhode Islanders who rely on the Washington Bridge have had their daily lives disrupted for nearly 18 months," Shekarchi said. "As the bridge project moves forward, [the House] will co

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