PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) hosted yet another virtual public meeting Thursday evening to address concerns surrounding the demolition of the defunct Washington Bridge. The first virtual public meeting, which lasted nine minutes, was widely criticized because RIDOT did not accept feedback or take any questions. TARGET 12: McKee’s loyalty to Alviti contrasts with past governors Gov. Dan McKee expressed his disappointment with RIDOT's handling of the meeting and urged the agency to offer another session in which the public could participate. The virtual meeting, like the first one, focused on the impact of the demolition process on nearby residents and businesses. This time, however, RIDOT Director Peter Alviti fielded questions and heard directly from those impacted by the demolition. Concerns range from dust and debris to noise and vibrations. Alviti explained that there are environmental safeguards in place to protect neighborhoods from dust and debris, and that vibrations from the machinery are within industry standard for demolition. RELATED: RI lands $95.6M federal grant for Washington Bridge But Alviti acknowledged that the noise is much more difficult for RIDOT to address. "Knocking down a massive concrete structure takes heavy equipment with high impact in order to break it apart," Alviti said. "But the good news is, the worst is over." Alviti said residents will only need to endure three more nights of noisy demolition, which will begin Sunday. "This will get further and further away from the houses as they work from the two ends inward to the middle of the waterway," Alviti explained. Alviti said the reason noisy demolition work has been happening overnight is to avoid gridlock on the heavily-traveled Gano Street. Blocking Gano Street off during the daytime, he explained, would be detrimental to those who use that road on a daily basis. SEE ALSO: Washington Bridge timeline extends demo to late 2025 "We're sorry that we have to bother you for those three nights but it's necessary in order to get those structures that are over Gano Street down," Alviti said. "The rest of the construction will not be over roads and will be over water, in which case those activities can be done during the day without having to worry about blocking traffic." Alviti stopped short of addressing questions regarding the ongoing legal battle over who's at fault, citing that it is standard practice not to comment on pending litigation. RIDOT expects the old bridge, which abruptly closed last December, to be torn down by the end of next year. Demolition resumed earlier this week after it was halted last month due to the ongoing legal battle. Those who didn't get a chance to ask a question can still do so online. Alviti said there is no deadline to submit additional questions. "We will answer all of them," Alviti said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW