2023 -- H 6372
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LC002933
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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A N A C T
RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- CONSTRUCTION AND STATE MAINTENANCE OF
STATE ROADS
Introduced By: Representative Joseph J. Solomon
Date Introduced: May 05, 2023
Referred To: House State Government & Elections
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 24-8 of the General Laws entitled "Construction and Maintenance of 1
State Roads" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 2
24-8-46. Street, highway or bridge closure - notice - public hearing. 3
(a) The department of transportation or local governmental unit with jurisdiction over a 4
street, highway or bridge shall provide written notice, by certified mail, to all residential property 5
owners and commercial businesses located within five hundred feet (500') of any proposed closure 6
to vehicular traffic of a street, highway or bridge, at least thirty (30) days prior to commencing any 7
work on the street, highway or bridge. 8
(b) The department of transportation or local governmental unit with jurisdiction over a 9
street, highway or bridge, shall hold a public hearing pursuant to chapter 46 of title 42, a minimum 10
of fourteen (14) days prior to any temporary or permanent closing to vehicular traffic of a street, 11
highway or bridge. 12
(c) The provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall not apply to any 13
emergency closure of a street, highway or bridge. For purposes of this section, "emergency closure" 14
means the closure of a street, highway or bridge to prevent, limit, mitigate or respond to a serious, 15
unexpected or dangerous situation requiring immediate action to remedy harm or avert imminent 16
danger to life, health or property. 17
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 1
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- CONSTRUCTION AND STA TE MAINTENANCE OF
STATE ROADS
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This act would require the department of transportation or local governing unit with 1
jurisdiction over the street, highway or bridge, to notify all residential property owners and 2
commercial businesses within five hundred feet (500') of any proposed temporary or permanent 3
closure to vehicular traffic on any street, highway or bridge, at least thirty (30) days prior to 4
commencing work on the street, highway or bridge. Notice would be required to be sent in writing 5
by certified mail. This act would further require the department of transportation or local governing 6
unit with jurisdiction over the street, highway or bridge, to hold a public meeting of the proposed 7
closure to vehicular traffic at least fourteen (14) days prior to commencing work on the street, 8
highway or bridge. The notice and hearing provisions would not apply to an emergency closure. 9
This act would take effect upon passage. 10
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LC002933
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