Rhode Island Department of Transportation had invited bids for both steel and concrete options to replace the existing steel arch, which requires regular remedial work. Cardi's US$163.7 million bid was one of three submitted for steel. The sole concrete bid was for US$189 million.

The plan is to award the contract by mid-April, with completion scheduled for 2012. The contractor would receive a US$5 million bonus if it completes the project a year early.