Aetna Bridge Company, which is leading the demolition of the failed Washington Bridge, Rhode Island, in the north east USA, has named a designer for the project.

The role of lead designer Jacobs will be to develop a phased demolition plan to a schedule that minimises disruption and risk. It will also minimise the amount of debris entering the Seekonk River.

The Washington Bridge in the Rhode Island town of Providence was built in the 1960s using an unusual technique involving pre-stressed and post-tensioned concrete. Its westbound span was closed in December 2023 after the discovery during a rehab project of a critical failure.

The state of Rhode Island received a US$125.4 million grant from the federal government last October (link opens in new tab) towards the project to replace the westbound span. This will cover part of the estimated US$426.5 million cost of the demolition and design-build.

Rhode Island Department of Transportation expects the demolition to be completed by December.