Washington Bridge closure lengthened East Bay ambulance trips, study finds

A recent study published in the Rhode Island Medical Journal found that the sudden closure of the Washington Bridge's westbound span in December 2023 extended ambulance travel times by about a minute for routes in Rhode Island’s East Bay. This added delay, observed over the first six months after the closure, underscores the bridge's crucial role in regional emergency response logistics. With the bridge serving as a key transit link, its closure highlighted the vulnerabilities in emergency services during critical infrastructure disruptions. This insight is important for policymakers to consider when planning for emergency response and infrastructure maintenance.