Improperly Installed Rhode Island Iway Rail Costs Near $500,000

The cost for Rhode Island to deal with an improperly installed railing on the Iway bridge on Interstate 195 is now approaching $500,000.

WPRI-TV reports that engineering studies to determine how it happened has cost around $316,000.

Jersey barriers have been placed between the railing and traffic to ensure the bridge is safe. That cost $165,000 for a two-year contract, bringing the cost so far to $481,000.

The problem was discovered in May when a 10-foot stretch of the railing was damaged on the eastbound side. After crews looked at it, they realized the base of the rail had not been installed correctly.

Department of Transportation spokeswoman Rose Amoros says they believe the repair will have to be paid for by the contractor who caused the problem.