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There will be no encore performance on WPRO radio’s weekly “Ask the DOT” segment for Peter Alviti.

The embattled transportation director has been the talk of the town because of his announced retirement and subsequent radio interview last week with Gene Valicenti where he both admitted and denied that criticism over his department’s handling of Washington Bridge has led to his departure, and then appeared to threaten his critics.

“Rest assured, I will be paying close attention between now and August to everything that is said publicly about this,” Alviti said in a statement that he read on air and his staff emailed to reporters. “If anyone lies or misrepresents the facts for personal gain, they will hear from me—forcefully.”

The bigger picture: Alviti has done the hit with Valicenti nearly every week for the last 10 years, answering questions from drivers about everything from road closures to traffic signals. Tom Quinlan, Valicenti’s producer, said on X that the segment is “one of, if not, the most listened to hour every Thursday at 8 am on Rhode Island radio & @wpro.”

Since the closure of the westbound side of the Washington Bridge in December 2023, Alviti has continued to appear on the show – at times appearing combative when grilled about the bridge. Valicenti has asked important questions of Alviti, although the dynamic occasionally leaned more collegial than adversarial.

Last week’s appearance stunned even Alviti’s most vocal supporters, and even led Governor Dan McKee to say that he didn’t believe his outgoing director struck the right tone with his statement. McKee has stood by Alviti ever since the bridge closed.