Multiple companies have shown an interest in rebuilding the defunct westbound Washington Bridge, after a first round of bidding ended in July with no interest from contractors.

In its second go at soliciting companies to build a replacement for the broken Washington Bridge, the McKee administration has gotten inquiries from four potential bidders. That's the good news. Now the state can begin Phase II of the extended selection process for choosing the two finalists,

The four submissions announced by the governor’s office on Tuesday will be narrowed down by a technical review committee to two finalists in December.

After garnering no interest during the state’s initial solicitation, the rebuild of the westbound Washington Bridge now has four bidders — including the firm overseeing demolition of the old bridge. Firms had until noon Tuesday to respond to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation’s (RIDOT) request for qualifications,