PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Demolition crews are set to resume work Tuesday on the defunct westbound side of the Washington Bridge .

This means the road closures that were in place when the work was paused last month will go back into effect , according to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT).

After RIDOT didn’t take any questions during a brief virtual meeting on Friday, Gov. Dan McKee said they will hold a second meeting Thursday at 6 p.m. to address any concerns from residents about the demolition.

“I think it’s important to first apologize to people who anticipated a little different outcome on Friday and they are going to get it on Thursday,” McKee added.

WATCH: McKee on the demolition process (Story continues below.)

At the meeting, RIDOT plans to provide an overview of the upcoming demolition work, answer questions submitted by members of the public in advance, and also take questions in real time.

The louder overnight work, like deck hammering, will not start until Sunday so residents and business owners have enough time to prepare, according to McKee.

“I know that the evening noise is a problem and inconvenience for residents in the area,” he said. “We know that it’s necessary, we have to get this work done, and we are moving as fast as we can.”

Demolition was halted in mid-September so state officials could “preserve evidence” for the lawsuit filed against 13 companies earlier this year.

State attorneys allege the companies, which all worked on the bridge over the past decade, failed to identify and address the structural issues that worsened over the years.

WATCH: RIDOT Director Peter Alviti on rebuilding process (Story continues below.)

No companies submitted bids to build the new bridge by last July’s deadline, but McKee said Tuesday they are starting a “two-step procurement” process to get new bids.

First, they’re issuing a request for qualifications (RFQ) to help “narrow the field” for the best choice. That will be followed by a request for proposals (RFP), where a smaller pool of vendors will submit their plans for design, timeline and costs.

To encourage participation in the RFP, RIDOT Director Peter Alviti said they will offer an increased $1.75 million stipend to unsuccessful companies to help cover their technical and cost proposal.

Alviti said the two most qualified companies will be picked in December, then the winning bid will be selected in June 2025 with a notice to proceed with work the following month.

Since companies do not want any of the substructures to remain, Alviti said a change of order has been issued to Aetna Bridge Company to demolish those along with the rest of the bridge. That is expected to start in February 2025 and be completed by the end of the year.

WATCH: Alviti talks about caution taken on eastbound side of bridge (Story continues below.)

When asked when the new bridge will open, McKee said they will have a better idea in June.

“Based on what I know today, I think that we are headed in the right direction and we are on a timeframe that will be consistent,” McKee said.

McKee and Alviti initially said earlier this year that traffic won’t be flowing again on the westbound side until at least 2026 .

The bridge has been closed since Dec. 11, 2023, after an engineer discovered a structural issue state leaders determined could have resulted in an immediate failure. It has since been plagued by traffic backups in both directions for months, causing headaches for commuters, residents and lawmakers.

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