PROVIDENCE ― Forget Christmas ornaments of snowmen, Santa, or even the Big Blue Bug.
This year, Rhode Islanders are decorating their Christmas trees with a miniature replica of the Washington Bridge ― complete with orange traffic cones shifting drivers away from the westbound lanes, which have been closed for more than a year.
The westbound span, which connects the East Bay and Southeastern Massachusetts to Providence and the rest of Rhode Island, was shut down abruptly on Dec. 11, 2023, due to a “critical failure” that left the bridge in danger of collapsing. The state just named two finalists that will bid to build a new bridge, but not even Santa knows when that will be ready.
Facing the choice of laughing or crying, many of the Rhode Island motorists who’ve spent time idling in bridge traffic jams have added a sardonic touch to their fir trees.
Duke Marcoccio, the design artist behind mylittetown.com, said the Washington Bridge is by far the best seller from among the dozens of ornaments he sells.
“I thought I’d bring a little humor into the frustration that so many people have going over that damn bridge,” he told the Globe this week. “I honestly didn’t know what kind of response I was going to get. This one just happened to click.”
Marcoccio said he gave one of the bridge ornaments to East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva, whose city has been particularly hard hit by the bridge closure.
“I was a little hesitant,” he admitted. “But he loved it. He showed his whole staff.”
Marcoccio, a Narragansett resident, said he has been making Christmas ornaments for 25 years now. The first was a replica of The Towers in Narragansett. Since then, he has created about 300 ornaments, including a Del’s lemonade cup, the Haven Brothers mobile diner, the Benny’s sign, and the Big Blue Bug.
Marcoccio said he brought the Independent Man ornament out of retirement after the iconic statue was removed from atop the State House for only the second time in history.
A drone scanning the State House dome as part of a façade cleaning project spotted a gap in the marble base beneath the statue. The gilded bronze statue was removed, refurbished, and returned to the top of the capitol dome on Wednesday.
But the biggest hit has been the Washington Bridge ornament, Marcoccio said. He said he considered placing tiny orange traffic cones on the bridge deck, but they probably would have broken. So he just painted the cones and shifting lanes on the span. “They get the idea,” he said.
The bridge project is expected to cost at least $512 million ― a price tag that includes emergency repairs, demolition, and building a new bridge. But the cost estimate could grow once the two final bidders submit their actual proposals for building a new bridge next spring.
The Washington Bridge ornament, meanwhile, sells for $29.99 online.
One online reviewer wrote: “When I saw this I knew I had to have a memory ― or is it a nightmare? ― of the bridge.”
Asher Schofield, co-owner of the Frog & Toad gift shops in Providence, said the Washington Bridge ornament is “without question” the best selling Christmas ornament in his stores this year.
“You got to hand it to us,” he said of Rhode Island, “yet again we know how to have a good laugh at our own suffering.”
Schofield joked that the Washington Bridge ornament is the perfect gift for “Aunt Susan” because she won’t stop complaining about the bridge and comes to work late saying she had no idea the traffic would be that bad.
Schofield, who has spoken out about the impact that the bridge closure has had on local businesses, said, “I’m eager for the day when this is not a funny ornament for people to give to their loved ones.”
But, he added, “That might not be until 2030, at this rate.”
Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at edward.fitzpatrick@globe.com. Follow him @FitzProv.