‘Caught my attention’: Jim Hummel discusses new findings tied to Washington Bridge audit

Jim Hummel is a longtime investigative reporter and founder of the nonprofit news organization The Hummel Report. His reporting revealed new details about the westbound I-195 bridge, which shut down abruptly to 90,000 vehicles in December 2023.

Hummel’s reporting showed forensic auditors determined a critical rod of the bridge that ultimately broke was likely corroding for up to 15 years, and several inspections that flagged issues with that section of the bridge largely went unchecked.

The new detail were not included in a draft report of the forensic audit that was made public last month.

“Sometimes what you leave out of the story can be the best part,” Hummel said, adding that state officials have not yet commented on the new findings. “That caught my attention.”

Hummel’s report comes as the General Assembly is preparing to hold another oversight hearing to examine the bridge issue, which has become a political headache and frustrated drivers for nearly two years.

Hummel suggested the hearing — which has not yet been scheduled — could help shed new light on the audit and what state officials directed investigators to examine.

“Until you get somebody from RIDOT under oath or you bring in [RIDOT Director Peter] Alviti, you may not get the answer to that,” he said.

Later in the show, Kim and Eli talked about the “Stories We Wish We Wrote.” They include (not all mentioned on-air):

Dan’s picks

• Report will show ‘stunning’ scale of R.I. diocese’s mishandling of sexual abuse by clergy, Neronha says by Amanda Mikovits and Edward Fitzpatrick, The Boston Globe
• Legal joust erupts in court over alleged plan to sabotage, usurp King Richard’s Faire

Eli’s picks

• New R.I. cannabis retail licenses could be ready by May 2026. Not soon enough for some applicants. by Christopher Shea, Rhode Island Current (incorrectly attributed on-air to Alexander Castro, sorry!)
• Safety concerns persist at Woonsocket schools amid $100K in vandalism costs by Corey Plante, The Valley Breeze

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“Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of the Boston Globe.