Overview

• Gov. Dan McKee and state transportation experts will reveal the fate of the Washington Bridge in a briefing scheduled for Thursday at 3 p.m.
• The bridge, a crucial artery for Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts commuters, has been closed since December 11 due to critical failures.
• State officials have hinted at the possibility of replacing the 1968 bridge rather than repairing it, following a detailed structural analysis.
• Federal officials have indicated that if a complete rebuild is necessary, it could take up to two years to reopen the bridge.
• The decision comes after months of speculation and disruptions to local traffic, with temporary measures like a ferry service and an emergency bypass implemented.