As the case begins to take shape, Superior Court Judge Brian P. Stern could become a household name — especially if it goes to trial as opposed to being settled ahead of time.

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.

PROVIDENCE — The Rhode Island Department of Transportation abruptly halted demolition of the Washington Bridge on I-195 West Tuesday to “preserve evidence” for the lawsuit against companies that have worked on the bridge.

The U.S. Department of Transportation "Mega" grant will pay a chunk of the cost, last estimated at more than $400 million, of tearing the old bridge down and building a new one. The Mega grant program is funded by the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure bill.

The Washington Bridge project includes a bus lane and a two-way protected bike lane from Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan to University Avenue in the Bronx.

Rhode Island has received $125 million in federal funding to help replace the defunct Washington Bridge, the state’s congressional delegation announced Friday.

Attorney General Peter Neronha said Friday the demolition work on the Washington Bridge will likely be able to resume in a matter of days, not weeks.