If passed, H5597 would significantly alter existing statutes related to public highways by empowering local governments with greater control over their infrastructure. It stipulates that towns like Coventry and Cranston can sell abandoned highway sections to adjacent property owners, which could potentially lead to new development opportunities and improve land use planning. This change is aimed at simplifying the abandonment process and ensuring that land that is no longer needed for public transportation can be repurposed effectively.
Summary
House Bill H5597, introduced during the January session of the Rhode Island General Assembly, focuses on the process of abandoning highways and driftways by local towns. The bill amends the existing laws to allow town councils the authority to declare sections of highways or driftways as no longer useful for public use, which then facilitates the reversion of ownership back to the original landowners. The legislative intent is to streamline the process of abandonment and provide property owners bordering these routes the opportunity to purchase the land at fair market value, thereby addressing local needs more effectively.
Contention
The bill has raised notable points of contention among various stakeholders. Proponents argue that it allows towns to optimize public resources and reduce maintenance costs associated with unused roads. Critics, however, may express concerns over the implications for public access and the potential loss of historical rights-of-way. The need for proper signage and notifications to residents underscores the bill's attention to transparency and community involvement in the abandonment process, though disagreements may exist on how effectively these notifications will reach affected property owners.
Allows for a qualified abandonment of town highways/driftways and grants a public easement over said road allowing it to be converted to a walking/hiking/biking trail as well as for access to parks, nature preserves and other recreational facilities.
Allows for a qualified abandonment of public town roads which grants a public easement over said road allowing it to be converted to walking, biking, and hiking trails and access to parks, nature preserves and other recreational facilities.
Allows for a qualified abandonment of public town roads which grants a public easement over said road allowing it to be converted to walking, biking, and hiking trails and access to parks, nature preserves and other recreational facilities.
Allows for a qualified abandonment of town highways/driftways and grants a public easement over said road allowing it to be converted to a walking/hiking/biking trail as well as for access to parks, nature preserves and other recreational facilities.
Allows for a qualified abandonment of public town roads which grants a public easement over said road allowing it to be converted to walking, biking, and hiking trails and access to parks, nature preserves and other recreational facilities.
Allows for a qualified abandonment of public town roads which grants a public easement over said road allowing it to be converted to walking, biking, and hiking trails and access to parks, nature preserves and other recreational facilities.