Rhode Island Dropped Firm From Bridge Lawsuit

The state dismissed Aries Support Service Inc. from its ongoing litigation regarding the Washington Bridge failure.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Criminal Justice

Isometric editorial illustration showing a detailed assembly of steel bridge girders and structural bolt connections. — Rhode Island dismissed Aries Support Service Inc. from its lawsuit over the Washington Bridge, narrowing the focus of its ongoing litigation. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Rhode Island has officially removed Aries Support Service Inc. as a defendant in its 2024 lawsuit concerning the closure of the Washington Bridge. This marks the second company to be dismissed from the original 13-party litigation.

Why it matters

The state decided to narrow its focus after discovery revealed that other defendants played a more central role in the bridge failure. Officials are also moving to amend their complaint to better address specific legal defenses raised by the remaining parties.

Aries Support Service Inc. is the second entity dismissed from the lawsuit following Commonwealth Engineers & Consultants Inc. in June. The state has requested a 6-month extension for all discovery deadlines and the eventual trial date.

The players

Aries Support Service Inc.

This private company was one of the original 13 defendants named in the state lawsuit regarding the Washington Bridge failure.

Commonwealth Engineers & Consultants Inc.

This firm was the first defendant to be dismissed from the state lawsuit in June 2026.

The details

The state intends to file an amended complaint by October 7 to address legal arguments presented during a September 2 hearing. The Washington Bridge, which has been closed since December 2023, remains the subject of claims including negligence, breach of contract, and breach of fiduciary duty.

The Washington Bridge closed in December 2023.
Commonwealth Engineers & Consultants Inc. was dismissed in June 2026.
A defense raised a significant point during a hearing on September 2, 2026.
The state plans to amend its complaint by October 7, 2026.

Legal Context

The litigation follows the pattern set by the December 2023 closure of the Washington Bridge, which prompted the state to seek damages from multiple private contractors. Courts frequently allow for complaint amendments during complex infrastructure litigation to streamline the discovery process.

The narrowing of the lawsuit suggests a more focused legal effort to hold responsible parties accountable for the bridge failure. Residents and local businesses affected by the closure continue to monitor the progress of the case as the state seeks a trial extension.

The takeaway

The state is refining its legal strategy by removing peripheral defendants to concentrate on parties with more significant liability. This shift could impact the length and complexity of the upcoming trial as discovery continues.