Cardi Corp Pays Feds $500K for Improper Work on I-Way Bridge
Monday, April 17, 2017
Cardi Corporation will pay $500,000 to resolve the federal government’s claims that in 2007 Cardi Corporation improperly installed a crash railing on the I-195 I-Way bridge as well as its approach. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Stephen Dambruch and Special Agent Todd Damiani.
Cardi Corporation is the primary contractor responsible for the construction of the I-195 I-Way Project and the Providence River Bridge.
“As evidenced by this settlement agreement with Cardi Corporation, we remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring the integrity of the programs designed to maintain and improve our nation’s transportation infrastructure. Working with our law enforcement and prosecutorial colleagues, we will continue to protect the taxpayers’ investment in our nation’s infrastructure from fraud, waste, abuse and violations of law,” said Damiani.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe Investigation
An investigation by the United States Attorney’s Office and the Region One Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Transportation concluded that Cardi improperly installed the crash railing by cutting, eliminating, or altering key segments of structural reinforcing steel rebar that was intended to anchor the railing to the bridge. The government alleges that these changes rendered the railing unsafe, inadequate and, unfit for its intended use and/or not in compliance with project specifications.
The defect in the rail, installed in 2007, came to light in 2013 when a vehicle crashed into the railing, prompting further investigation and testing.
Based on the findings of its investigation, the federal government alleges that the rail actually installed by Cardi was different from the design specification required by its contract with RIDOT, and from FHWA-mandated safety standards. The federal government, which funded 80% of the cost of the bridge project through the Federal Highway Administration (“FHWA”), alleges that Cardi made these changes to the rail’s design without necessary approvals from the Rhode Island Department of Transpiration (“RIDOT”), the state agency responsible for overseeing the bridge project.
Cardi will pay $500,000 to resolve the federal government’s civil claim, which represents a full recovery of FHWA federal funds used for the installation of the rail.
The rail in question has since been replaced with a new design that meets FHWA safety criteria.
Related Slideshow: RI’s Most Dangerous Bridges
The American Road and Transportation Builders Association recently released a list of the most traveled, deficient bridges in each state. In Rhode Island, those bridges were:
Related Articles
- Speaker Mattiello Calls For Investigation After Bridge Closed Near Office
- NEW: Providence’s Monteiro Wins National Award for Prison Bridge Program
- Just 9 Percent of RI Stimulus Funds Went to Roads, Bridges
- Route 24 Bridge In Tiverton Faces Restrictions, Temporary Closure
- Bishop: Bridges, Tolls and a Tale of Three States
- Seat Belts on School Busses & a Plan for Highways & Bridges: This Week at the State House
- RI Has Highest Percentage of Deficient Bridges in Country
- Providence Plays Host To 2014 North American Bridge Championship
- Sky Chiefs Sign Former URI Forward Outerbridge
- Moore: Elorza’s Budget is a Bridge To Nowhere
- Most Traveled, Deficient Bridges in RI - See The List
- Guest MINDSETTER ™ Berwick: Repairing and Replacing RI’s Structurally Deficient Bridges
- RI Bridge Repair Plan with No Tolls Introduced by GOP Members
- Battle Over Prison Bridge Program at College Unbound
- Pedestrian Bridge Advocates Celebrate with Balloon Bridge Over Providence River
- Pell Bridge, Spending Reduction Tools: This Week at the State House
- RIDOT Announces Upcoming Bridge Closures
- Bob Whitcomb’s Digital Diary: Bridge of Sighs; Trump’s Family Tax Plan; Manafort Menace
- RI Has Most Deficient Bridges in the U.S.
- Rep. Costa Says Voters Should Decide on Bridge Toll Plan
- Providence Police Sergeant Saves Person From Jumping Off Henderson Bridge
- Gencarella & Bishop: Billion Dollar ‘Big Dig’ - Fewer Bridges, Fewer Cars, Nearly Double The Cost
- Online Voter Registration & Bridge Repair: This Year at the State House
