PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- Rhode Island has received $125 million in federal funding to help replace the defunct Washington Bridge, the state's congressional delegation announced Friday. The funding is coming to the state through the so-called "Mega Grant" program that was created under the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law. The amount is nearly $100 million short of the $221 million the state applied for to help repair the broken bridge. But U.S. Sen. Jack Reed said the state's delegation is optimistic about securing more federal money this fall, while characterizing the $125 million as "a mega-win for Rhode Island and a major down payment on replacing the Washington Bridge." "We are incredibly grateful to President Biden and Secretary Pete Buttigieg for their responsiveness to our calls for assistance," said Reed, who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee and is a senior member of its transportation subpanel. “There is a lot more work to do to get the bridge back up and running, and hopefully this boost of federal funding will accelerate progress," he added. Gov. Dan McKee emphasized that the state had received $125 million out of a nationwide pool of $850 million for the entire Mega Grant program. "We used every tool in our toolbox to illustrate that this project is our top priority – speaking directly with President Biden, bringing Secretary Buttigieg to see the bridge firsthand, traveling to the White House to make our case in person and having countless calls with partners like Senator Reed, Senator Whitehouse, Congressman Magaziner, Congressman Amo and Secretary Raimondo," he said. The Washington Bridge -- which had carried about 90,000 vehicles per day -- shuttered unexpectedly in December after state officials said they were informed of a critical failure that could have resulted in the bridge collapsing. “The Washington Bridge situation has been a headache for drivers and small businesses, but I am very pleased to announce that federal help is on the way to build a new bridge,” U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse said in a statement. “This is a great start, and we will continue working together with the Biden-Harris administration to secure the funding that the state needs to get the job done right," he added. State officials have been reluctant to offer a revised price tag for the cost of replacing the bridge after no companies came forward in July to bid on doing the work. The most recent estimate pegged the cost of the entire project at $473 million, but that is expected to rise. Demolition got underway earlier this month only to come to an unexpected halt this week when the state's legal team said they needed to preserve parts of the bridge for evidence. McKee and R.I. Attorney General Peter Neronha are suing 13 companies, alleging they allowed the bridge to deteriorate over the years, ultimately resulting in its failure. The state has hired one of the defendants -- Aetna Bridge Co. -- to demolish the bridge. “Replacing and reopening the Washington Bridge is a top priority, and it is welcome news that Rhode Island has secured funding through this highly competitive program,” U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner said in a statement. "My colleagues in the congressional delegation and I will continue fighting to secure additional federal funding to repair the Washington Bridge as quickly and safely as possible," he added. Contractors resumed some prep work on the bridge Thursday, but there's currently no announced timeline for when full demolition will get underway again. The state hasn't solicited bids from companies to replace the bridge since its first failed attempt, although McKee said Thursday he expects to announce a strategy soon to find a company to do the work. “Every dollar we secure to rebuild the Washington Bridge is a dollar to alleviate the burden on Rhode Island’s residents, businesses, and visitors,” U.S. Rep. Gabe Amo said in a statement. Amo said the amount of money awarded Friday "is significant — and further demonstrates our congressional delegation’s commitment to leave no stone unturned as we marshal federal support for this critical project." The emerging plan to pay for the new Washington Bridge is complex. Last month the state borrowed $140 million, backed by future federal highway funding, as a down payment on the project. Another round of borrowing is planned early next year to cover the remaining funding gap once all federal grant money is awarded. In addition to the newly announced $125 million federal grant and the $140 million in new borrowing, lawmakers redirected $35 million in federal COVID relief money to the bridge that had been previously designated for the South Quay project in East Providence. The state also plans to repurpose federal grants that had previously been awarded for work on the bridge. Separately, Rhode Island recently received $251 million in federal funding to repair 15 bridges along the I-95 corridor in Providence and Cranston. Eli Sherman ([email protected]) is a Target 12 investigative reporter for 12 News. Connect with him on Twitter and on Facebook. Ted Nesi ([email protected]) is a Target 12 investigative reporter and 12 News politics/business editor. He co-hosts Newsmakers and writes Nesi's Notes on Saturdays. Connect with him on Twitter, Threads and Facebook. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News SIGN UP NOW