R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-10-4 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-10 / Section 24-10-4
§ 24-10-4. Commercial enterprises prohibited.
Status: in_force

No commercial enterprise involving the sale or distribution of any commodity or product used in, or for the servicing of, any motor vehicle shall be authorized or conducted by the director of transportation or by any agency or officer of the state, within or on the property acquired for or designated as a freeway, as defined in this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-15 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-8 / Section 24-8-15
§ 24-8-15. Snow and ice removal  Notice of defects.
Status: in_force

(a) Every town or city shall at its own expense keep state roads within its limits, respectively, sufficiently clear of snow and ice so the roads shall be reasonably safe for travel as now required by law, and shall at once notify in writing the director of transportation or his or her employees of any defect or want of repair of state roads within its limits.

(b)(1) All storage piles or areas where road de-icing agents are stored within the Scituate watershed shall be adequately covered and stored on an impervious base to mitigate runoff impacts to ground and surface waters. The director of the department of transportation shall ensure where funds allow, that all drivers, loaders and handlers of de-icing agents within any watershed participate in training sessions in the proper application and control of road de-icing agents; that de-icing vehicles, wherever feasible, operating within the Scituate watershed area equipped with sensor devices to control the spread rate of de-icing materials in relation to the speed of the vehicle.

(2) For purposes of this section the Scituate watershed shall mean the total drainage area into the Scituate Reservoir  an area of some 92.8 square miles in the towns of Scituate, Johnston, Foster, Glocester, and Smithfield  which because of its topography, soil type, and drainage patterns acts as a collector of rain waters which replenish or regorge existing public drinking water supplies in the Scituate Reservoir.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-2-6 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-2 / Section 24-2-6
§ 24-2-6. Widening of highways.
Status: in_force

If any lands used and improved for twenty (20) years and upwards as a public highway or street, shall not in the judgment of the town council be wide enough for the necessities or convenience of the public, the town council may proceed to widen the highway in whole or in part, pursuing, as to the portions so widened, the steps required by law for laying out new highways.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-5-26 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-5 / Section 24-5-26
§ 24-5-26. Penalty for neglect by surveyors.
Status: in_force

Every surveyor of highways who shall neglect the duties of his or her trust shall forfeit twenty dollars ($20.00) for every neglect, to be recovered in the name of the town treasurer to the use of the town.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-1-7 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-1 / Section 24-1-7
§ 24-1-7. Payment of agreed price.
Status: in_force

If any party shall agree with the city or town council upon the price to be paid for the value of the land or other real property so taken and of appurtenant damage to any remainder or for the value of the partys estate, right or interest therein, the court, upon application of the parties in interest, may order that the sum agreed upon be paid forthwith from the money deposited, as the just compensation to be awarded in the proceedings; provided, however, that no payment shall be made to any official or employee of the city or town for any property or interest therein acquired from an official or employee unless the amount of the payment is determined by the court to constitute just compensation to be awarded in the proceedings.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-15-4 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-15 / Section 24-15-4
§ 24-15-4. Withdrawal of highways from scenic highways system.
Status: in_force

After holding a public hearing, the director, or the governing body of any municipality as to any scenic highway (including a state highway) within its borders, may apply to the board for, and the board itself may propose, the removal of a highway from the scenic highway system. The board shall thereupon approve or deny the removal of the highway from its designation as a scenic highway. Provided, however, that no application for removal of a highway or road, or portion thereof, from the scenic highways system, shall be approved unless the owners of a majority of the lineal lot frontage abutting the highway or road agree to the removal by filing an application with the director or governing municipal body, within the sixty (60) days immediately preceding the application, a written statement or statements agreeing to the removal.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-18-9 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-18 / Section 24-18-9
§ 24-18-9. Expenses incurred by the department.
Status: in_force

In order to provide for the expenses of the department under this chapter, the agency shall transfer to the department an amount from the revolving fund equal to the amount authorized by the general assembly.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-27 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-8 / Section 24-8-27
§ 24-8-27. Bridge defined  Responsibility for structures.
Status: in_force

(a) The word bridge as used in this chapter shall be a structure including supports erected over a depression or an obstruction, such as water, highway, or railway, and having a track or passageway for carrying traffic or other moving loads, and having an opening measured along the center of the roadway of eight feet (8²) or more between under copings of abutments, spring lines of arches, or the extreme ends of openings for multiple boxes; it also includes single or multiple pipes where the clear distance between openings of multiple pipes is less than half of the smaller contiguous opening.

(b) The state will be responsible for the following related to bridges, as defined above:

(1) Reporting of inspection and load rating findings for National Bridge Inventory (NBI) bridges on all roadways;

(2) Construction and maintenance costs of:

(i) Bridges on state-owned roads;

(ii) Structures less than eight feet (8²) on state roads; and

(ii) Other state-owned structures unless otherwise agreed upon.

(c) The state is not responsible for construction or maintenance costs for bridges or smaller structures it does not own.

(d) Performing inspections or load ratings on any bridge or structures less than eight feet (8²) by the state for public safety does not constitute ownership or responsibility of the structure.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-3 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-3
§ 24-12-3. Appointment of authority members  Oath of office.
Status: in_force

(a) During the month of March in each year, the successor of any member whose term is about to expire shall be appointed by the governor for a term of four (4) years commencing the first day of April then next ensuing, but any person appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve only for the unexpired term. Any member of the authority shall be eligible for reappointment.

(b) Each appointed member of the authority before entering upon his or her duties shall take an oath to administer the duties of his or her office faithfully and impartially, and the oath shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-18-1 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-18 / Section 24-18-1
§ 24-18-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This act shall be known and may be cited as the Municipal Road and Bridge Revolving Fund Act of 2013.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-14-8 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-14 / Section 24-14-8
§ 24-14-8. Injunction.
Status: in_force

The director of transportation may make application to the superior court in the county in which junkyards established or maintained in violation of this chapter may be located, for an injunction to abate the nuisances.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-14-12 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-14 / Section 24-14-12
§ 24-14-12. Severability.
Status: in_force

If any section, clause or provision of this chapter shall be held either unconstitutional or ineffective in whole or in part to the extent that it is not unconstitutional or ineffective, it shall be valid and effective and no other section, clause or provision shall on account of the invalidity be termed invalid or ineffective.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-17-3 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-17 / Section 24-17-3
§ 24-17-3. East Bay Infrastructure fund established.
Status: in_force

(a) There is hereby created a special account in the general fund to be known as the East Bay Infrastructure (EBI) fund.

(b) The fund shall consist of all those moneys which the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority may and the state may, from time to time, direct to the fund, including, but not necessarily limited to, funds in excess of those required to (i) pay debt service payments, (ii) operate and maintain the bridges; and (iii) maintain required or adequate reserves.

(c) All funds collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the EBI fund and shall be used only in Bristol and Newport Counties, and only for the purposes set forth in this chapter.

(d) Unexpended balances and any earnings thereon shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the EBI fund. There shall be no requirement that moneys received into the EBI fund during any given calendar year or fiscal year be expended during the same calendar year or fiscal year.

(e) The EBI fund shall be administered by the director, who shall allocate and spend moneys from the fund only in accordance with the purposes and procedures set forth in this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-7-7 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-7 / Section 24-7-7
§ 24-7-7. Penalties for violation of regulations.
Status: in_force

The town council may prescribe and impose penalties for the violation of the ordinances and regulations herein provided for not exceeding an amount of twenty dollars ($20.00).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-1-8 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-1 / Section 24-1-8
§ 24-1-8. Assessment of damages by court.
Status: in_force

Any owner of, or person entitled to any estate or right in, or interested in any part of the real property so taken, who cannot agree with the city or town council upon the price to be paid for his or her estate, right or interest in such real property so taken and the appurtenant damage to the remainder, may, within one year from the time the sum of money estimated to be just compensation is deposited in the superior court to the use of the persons entitled thereto, apply by petition to the superior court for the county in which the real property is situated, setting forth the taking of his or her land or estate or interest therein and praying for an assessment of damages by the court or by a jury. Upon the filing of a petition the court shall cause twenty (20) days notice of the pendency thereof to be given to the city or town by serving the city or town clerk with a certified copy of the petition.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-46 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-46
§ 24-12-46. Severability.
Status: in_force

The provisions of this chapter are severable and if any of its provisions shall be held unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, the decision of the court shall not affect or impair any of the remaining provisions of this chapter. It is hereby declared to be the legislative intent that this chapter would have been adopted had the unconstitutional provisions not been included therein.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-25 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-25
§ 24-12-25. Trust agreement.
Status: in_force

In the discretion of the authority any bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter may be secured by a trust agreement by and between the authority and a corporate trustee, which may be any trust company or bank having the powers of a trust company within or without the state. The trust agreement or the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds may pledge or assign the tolls and other revenues to be received, but shall not convey or mortgage any project or any part thereof. The trust agreement or resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds may contain such provisions for protecting and enforcing the rights and remedies of the bondholders as may be reasonable and proper and not in violation of law, including covenants setting forth the duties of the authority in relation to the acquisition of property and the construction, improvement, maintenance, repair, operation, and insurance of the project or projects in connection with which the bonds shall have been authorized, the rates of toll to be charged, the custody, safeguarding and application of all moneys, and conditions or limitations with respect to the issuance of additional bonds. It shall be lawful for any bank or trust company incorporated under the laws of the state which may act as depositary of the proceeds of bonds or of revenues to furnish the indemnifying bonds or to pledge such securities as may be required by the authority. Any trust agreement may set forth the rights and remedies of the bondholders and of the trustee, and may restrict the individual right of action by bondholders. In addition to the foregoing, any trust agreement or resolution may contain such other provisions as the authority may deem reasonable and proper for the security of the bondholders. All expenses incurred in carrying out the provisions of the trust agreement or resolution may be treated as a part of the authoritys cost of operation and maintenance.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-3-16 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-3 / Section 24-3-16
§ 24-3-16. Declaration of opening of highway.
Status: in_force

Whenever all buildings and impediments have been removed, by order of the town council or city council, from the street or portion thereof taken, and the street shall be open for public use, the town council or city council shall declare the opening, and it shall be a public highway.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-13 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-8 / Section 24-8-13
§ 24-8-13. Contractors bond  Forfeiture.
Status: in_force

The person whose proposal or bid is accepted by the department of administration, shall be required to give bond, in a sum not less than fifty percent (50%) of the contract price, to indemnify the town or city where the road lies against damage while the road is being constructed or improved, and the state shall not be liable for any damage occasioned thereby; and every contract made for the construction or improvement shall provide for a forfeiture of such sum or sums as the department may deem proper, for failure to complete, according to contract, the road construction or improvement within the specified time.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-12 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-8 / Section 24-8-12
§ 24-8-12. Contracts  Advertising for bids.
Status: in_force

All road construction or improvements made by the director of transportation shall be, and all repairs may be, performed by written contract, made by the department of administration in behalf of the state, and after advertisement, by order of the department of administration has been published at least once in a newspaper of statewide circulation and at least five (5) calendar days before the final date of submitting bids, inviting sealed proposals for the road construction or improvement, to be made under the supervision and subject to the approval of the department of administration, and in accordance with the plans and specifications of the department of transportation; and the advertisement shall state the time and place the plans and specifications may be examined, and when the proposals made in answer to the advertisement will be opened, and shall reserve the right of the department of administration to reject any and all proposals.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-7 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-7
§ 24-12-7. Revenue bonds not a debt of the state.
Status: in_force

Revenue bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter shall not be deemed to constitute a debt of the state or of any political subdivision thereof or a pledge of the faith and credit of the state or of any political subdivision, but shall be payable solely from the funds provided therefor under the provisions of this chapter. All revenue bonds shall contain on the face thereof a statement to the effect that neither the state nor the authority shall be obligated to pay the same or the interest thereon except from the funds provided therefor under the provisions of this chapter, and that neither the faith and credit nor the taxing power of the state or of any political subdivision thereof is pledged to the payment of the principal of or the interest on the bonds; provided, however, that any bonds issued under the provisions of § 24-12-40B of this chapter shall contain on the face thereof the statement required by § 24-12-40B.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-19 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-19
§ 24-12-19. Use of bond proceeds  Supplementary issues  Surplus proceeds.
Status: in_force

The proceeds of the bonds of each issue shall be used solely for the payment of the cost of the project or projects for which the bonds shall have been issued, and shall be disbursed in the manner and under the restrictions, if any, as the authority may provide in the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds or in the trust agreement hereinafter mentioned securing the bonds; provided, however, that the amount of the proceeds of the revenue bonds of the first series as may be determined by the authority prior to the issuance of the bonds may be applied to the payment of engineering, financing, and legal services in connection with the financing and the construction of the Newport Bridge or the turnpike or both. If the proceeds of the bonds of any issue, by error of estimates or otherwise, shall be less than the cost, additional bonds may in like manner be issued to provide the amount of the deficit, and, unless otherwise provided in the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds or in the trust agreement securing the bonds, shall be deemed to be of the same issue and shall be entitled to payment from the same fund without preference of priority of the bonds first issued. If the proceeds of the bonds of any issue shall exceed the cost, the surplus shall be deposited to the credit of the sinking fund for the bonds or, if so authorized by the authority, may be applied to the payment of the cost of any project thereafter financed under the provisions of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-18-8 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-18 / Section 24-18-8
§ 24-18-8. Inspection of approved projects.
Status: in_force

For any approved project, the department shall have the authority to inspect the construction and operation thereof to ensure compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-48 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-48
§ 24-12-48. Provision for severance benefits.
Status: in_force

In the event revenue bonds shall be issued in an amount estimated to be sufficient with any other available funds to pay the cost of constructing the Newport Bridge and opening the bridge for traffic, the authority shall cause a sufficient amount of the proceeds of the bonds as may be required to make the severance benefit payments hereinafter set forth, which amount shall in no event exceed the sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000), and which amount is hereby declared to be a part of the cost of the project or projects to be applied as follows:

(1) The sufficient amount of the proceeds shall be deposited in a bank in the state in the name of the Jamestown and Newport ferry company thereby creating a severance benefit account to be used by the Jamestown and Newport ferry company as a checking account for the purpose of paying upon the opening of the Newport Bridge to traffic the severance benefits hereinafter set forth; namely,

(i) To employees of the department of transportation employed in the operation of the ferry from Jamestown to Newport at the time of the opening of the Newport Bridge to traffic.

(ii) To employees of the department of transportation employed in the operation of the ferry from Jamestown to Newport, whose employment is terminated involuntarily including termination occasioned by accident or illness between the time of the initial issuance of revenue bonds under the provisions of this chapter and the time of the opening of the Newport Bridge to traffic, who have been regularly employed by the department of transportation and its predecessors in the operation of such ferry, including the Jamestown and Newport ferry company and the Jamestown ferry authority for twenty-four (24) months or longer, and who are separated from such employment, severance benefits as follows:

(A) For service of twenty-four (24) months  five (5) weeks additional pay at their respective rates of pay in effect at the time of the termination of their employment for regular work week exclusive of overtime.

(B) For service beyond twenty-four (24) months  five (5) weeks pay plus thirty (30) days pay for each additional year or major fraction thereof beyond twenty-four (24) months at their respective rates of pay in effect at the time of the termination of their employment for a regular work week exclusive of overtime.

(C) One days pay at their respective rates of pay for regular work day exclusive of overtime in effect at the time of the termination of their employment for each day of authorized accumulated sick leave remaining to their credit on the date of termination of their employment.

(2) In event the severance benefits computed as provided in subdivision (1) shall in the aggregate exceed the sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000), the amount of the benefit payable to each of the persons specified above shall be proportionately reduced and the sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) shall be prorated among such persons.

(3) All sums remaining in the checking account after completion of the payments herein provided shall be paid to the Rhode Island turnpike authority.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-4-3 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-4 / Section 24-4-3
§ 24-4-3. Forwarding resolution to director  Jurisdiction of negotiations.
Status: in_force

A certified copy of the resolution shall be forwarded by the city or town clerk to the state director of transportation, under whose jurisdiction all negotiations between the federal government, the state and the city or town shall be completed.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-1 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-1
§ 24-12-1. Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context shall indicate another or different meaning:

(1) Additional facility means any bridge, approach or feeder road, highway, road, freeway, tunnel, overpass, underpass, parking facility or toll facility, in the state, equipment or signal and information system, which the authority is authorized by this chapter or any other law to construct, reconstruct, renovate, acquire, maintain, repair, operate, or manage after May 3, 1954 or any portion thereof.

(2) Annual period means the one-year fiscal period of the state commencing on the first day of July of any year and ending the last day of June of the following year.

(3) Authority means the Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority created by § 24-12-2, or, if the authority shall be abolished, the board, body, or commission succeeding to the principal functions thereof or upon whom the powers given by the chapter to the authority shall be given by law.

(4)(i) Cost as applied to any project to be constructed, reconstructed, renovated, maintained, acquired, leased, repaired, operated or managed by the authority shall embrace the cost of construction, reconstruction, renovation, maintenance, repair, operation or management, the cost of the acquisition of all land, rights-of-way, property, rights, easements, and interests acquired by the authority for the construction, reconstruction, renovation, maintenance, repair, operation or management, the cost of demolishing or removing any buildings or structures on land so acquired, including the cost of acquiring any lands to which the buildings or structures may be moved, the cost of all machinery and equipment, financing charges, interest prior to and during construction, reconstruction, renovation, maintenance, repair, operation or management, and for one year after completion of construction, reconstruction, renovation, maintenance, repair, operation or management, cost of traffic estimates and of engineering and legal services, plans, specifications, surveys, estimates of cost and of revenues, other expenses necessary or incident to determining the feasibility or practicability of construction, reconstruction, renovation, maintenance, repair, operation or management, administrative expenses, and such other expenses as may be necessary or incident to the construction, reconstruction, renovation, maintenance, repair, operation or management, the financing of the construction, and the placing of the project in operation, and in connection with the Newport Bridge shall include the purchase price of the ferry franchise. The word cost as applied to any project which the authority may be authorized to acquire means the amount of the purchase price, lease payments, debt service payments, or the amount of any condemnation award in connection with the acquisition of the project, and shall include the cost of acquiring all the capital stock of the corporation owning the project, if such be the case, and the amount to be paid to discharge all of the obligations of the corporation in order to vest title to the project in the authority, the cost of improvements to the project which may be determined by the authority to be necessary prior to the financing thereof, interest during the period of construction of the improvements and for one year thereafter, the cost of all lands, properties, rights, easements, franchises, and permits acquired, the cost of engineering and legal services, plans, specifications, surveys, estimates of cost and of revenues, other expenses necessary or incident to determining the feasibility or practicability of the acquisition or improvement, administrative expenses, and such other expenses as may be necessary or incident to the financing of the acquisition or improvement and the placing of the project in operation by the authority.

(ii) Cost as applied to the Mount Hope Bridge means such amount, if any, as the authority may deem necessary, following the acquisition of a bridge under the provisions of § 24-12-40A, to place the bridge in safe and efficient condition for its operation. And as applied to any project constructed or acquired by the authority under the provisions of the chapter, the word cost shall also include such amounts as the authority may deem necessary for working capital and to create a debt service reserve.

(iii) Cost as applied to the Sakonnet River Bridge includes such amount, if any, as the authority may deem necessary, following the acquisition of the Sakonnet River Bridge under the provisions of subsection 24-12-40F, to place the bridge in safe and efficient condition for its operation. As applied to any project constructed or acquired by the authority under the provisions of the chapter, the word cost shall also include such amounts as the authority may deem necessary for capitalized interest, working capital and to create a debt service reserve.

(iv) Cost as applied to the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge includes such amount, if any, as the authority may deem necessary, following the acquisition of the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge under the provisions of subsection 24-12-40G, to place the bridge in safe and efficient condition for its operation. As applied to any project constructed or acquired by the authority under the provisions of the chapter, the word cost shall also include such amounts as the authority may deem necessary for capitalized interest, working capital and to create a debt service reserve.

(5) Department means the department of transportation, or, if the department shall be abolished, the board, body, or commission succeeding to the principal functions thereof or upon whom the powers given by chapter 5 of title 37 to the department shall be given by law.

(6) Ferry franchise means the existing franchises and rights to operate ferries belonging to the Jamestown and Newport ferry company, but not including any other intangible personal property or real estate or tangible personal property of the corporation which shall remain the property of the corporation.

(7) Jamestown Bridge means the former bridge over the west passage of Narragansett Bay between the towns of Jamestown and North Kingstown constructed by the Jamestown Bridge commission under the provisions of chapter 2536 of the Public Laws, 1937 and the approaches thereto, and shall embrace all tollhouses, administration, and other buildings and structures used in connection therewith, together with all property, rights, easements, and interests acquired by the Jamestown Bridge commission in connection with the construction and operation of the bridge.

(8) Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge means the bridge constructed in replacement of the Jamestown Bridge, as defined in subdivision (7) and the approaches thereto, and shall embrace all tollhouses, administration, and other buildings and structures used in connection therewith, together with all property, rights, easements, and interests acquired by the authority in connection with the construction and operation of such bridge.

(9) Mount Hope Bridge means the existing bridge between the towns of Bristol and Portsmouth and the approaches thereto, which was constructed by the Mount Hope Bridge corporation and which was acquired and is now owned and operated by the Mount Hope Bridge authority under the provisions of chapter 13 of this title, and shall embrace all tollhouses, administration, and other buildings and structures used in connection therewith, together with all property, rights, easements, and interests acquired by the Mount Hope Bridge corporation or the Mount Hope Bridge authority in connection with the construction and operation of the bridge.

(10) Newport Bridge means the bridge or tunnel or combination of bridge and tunnel constructed or to be constructed under the provisions of this chapter over or under the waters of Narragansett Bay between Conanicut Island and Aquidneck Island, shall embrace the substructure and the superstructure thereof and the approaches thereto and the entrance plazas, interchanges, overpasses, underpasses, tollhouses, administration, storage, and other buildings, and highways connecting the bridge or tunnel with the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge (defined in subdivision (8)) and with state highways as the authority may determine to construct from time to time in connection therewith, together with all property, rights, easements, and interests acquired by the authority for the construction and operation of the bridge or tunnel or combination of bridge and tunnel.

(11) Owner means and include all individuals, incorporated companies, partnerships, societies, or associations, and also municipalities, political subdivisions, and all public agencies and instrumentalities, having any title or interest in any property, rights, easements, or franchises authorized to be acquired under the provisions of this chapter.

(12) Project means the Newport Bridge, Mount Hope Bridge, Sakonnet River Bridge, Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge, the turnpike or any additional facility, as the case may be, or any portion thereof which may be financed, acquired or leased under the provisions of this chapter.

(13) Turnpike means the controlled access highway or any portion thereof to be constructed or acquired, from time to time, under the provisions of this chapter from a point at or near the Connecticut-Rhode Island border through the county of Washington and the county of Newport to a point at or near the Massachusetts-Rhode Island border in the town of Tiverton (excluding the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge, the Mount Hope Bridge, the Newport Bridge, and the Sakonnet River Bridge), together with all bridges (except those mentioned above), overpasses, underpasses, interchanges, entrance plazas, approaches, approach roads, tollhouses, service stations, and administration, storage, and other buildings and facilities which the authority may deem necessary for the operation of the turnpike, together with all property, rights, easements, and interests which may be acquired by the authority for the construction or the operation of the turnpike.

(14) Sakonnet River Bridge means the replacement Sakonnet River bridge constructed or to be constructed under the provisions of Article 36 of Chapter 376 of the Public Laws of 2003 between the towns of Tiverton and Portsmouth and shall embrace the substructure and the superstructure thereof and the approaches thereto and the toll structures, interchanges, overpasses, underpasses, tollhouses, administration, storage, and other buildings, and highways connecting the bridge with state highways, as the authority may determine to construct or acquire from time to time in connection therewith, together with all property, rights, easements, and interests acquired by the authority for the construction and operation of the bridge.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-6-4 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-6 / Section 24-6-4
§ 24-6-4. Jury trial on damages.
Status: in_force

Any person aggrieved by the order or decree of a town council awarding damages on the abandoning of a highway or driftway, or any part thereof, may within one year after the making of the award apply by petition to the superior court for the county in which the land lies, setting forth the action of the town council and praying for an assessment of his or her damages against the town by a jury. Upon the filing of the petition, the court shall cause twenty (20) days notice of the pendency thereof to be given to the town treasurer of the town by serving him or her with a certified copy thereof, and may proceed after the notice to the trial thereof, and the trial shall determine all questions of fact relating to the damages sustained by the petitioner, and the amount thereof, and judgment shall be entered upon the verdict of the jury, and thereupon the petitioner shall be entitled to all the remedies conferred in and by §§ 45-15-6 and 45-15-7.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-40E — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-40E
§ 24-12-40E. State guaranteed bonds  General provision.
Status: in_force

All payments made by the authority to the general fund for amounts loaned to the authority for payments on bond interest paid on state guaranteed bonds, shall, if requested in writing by the director of administration, be deposited by the state controller to a restricted receipt account. The moneys and interest or income earned from their investment shall be used for the payment of debt service cost (principal and interest) for state general obligation bonds.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-32 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-32
§ 24-12-32. Eligibility of bonds for investment.
Status: in_force

Bonds issued by the authority under the provisions of this chapter are hereby made securities in which all public officers and public bodies of the state and its political subdivisions, all insurance companies, trust companies, banking associations, investment companies, executors, administrators, trustees, and other fiduciaries may properly and legally invest funds, including capital in their control or belonging to them. The bonds are hereby made securities which may properly and legally be deposited with and received by any state or municipal officer or any agency or political subdivision of the state for any purpose for which the deposit of bonds or obligations is now or may hereafter be authorized by law.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-2-2 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-2 / Section 24-2-2
§ 24-2-2. Notice of intent to declare highway public.
Status: in_force

Every town council, before they proceed to act under the provisions of § 24-2-1, shall give personal notice of their intention to all persons interested, or who may have any claim to the land over which a highway passes, as described in § 24-2-1, if known to reside in this state, and if not known, or if known to reside without the state, then in the manner prescribed by § 24-1-6.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-3-25 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-3 / Section 24-3-25
§ 24-3-25. Liability for cost of curbs.
Status: in_force

Whenever any highway shall be graded, and sidewalks established therein, and the sidewalks shall be ordered to be curbed as provided in § 24-3-24, the owners of land abutting on the sidewalks shall pay the cost of the curbstones to be set against their respective lands.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-5-28 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-5 / Section 24-5-28
§ 24-5-28. Determination of places where guideposts necessary.
Status: in_force

The several town councils shall, at their meeting held next after the first day of October in each year, determine the corners and angles of all roads within their respective towns at which it shall be necessary to erect and maintain guideposts, and shall keep a record of their decision among the records of their proceedings.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-31 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-31
§ 24-12-31. Tax exemption.
Status: in_force

The exercise of the powers granted by this chapter will be in all respects for the benefit of the people of the state, for the increase of their commerce and prosperity and for the improvement of their health and living conditions, and as the acquisition, construction, operation, and maintenance by the authority of the projects as defined in this chapter as will constitute the performance of essential governmental functions, the authority shall not be required to pay any taxes or assessments upon the projects or upon any property acquired or used by the authority under the provisions of this chapter or upon the income from the projects, and the bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter, their transfer and the income therefrom (including any profit made on the sale thereof) shall at all times be free from taxation within the state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-5-35 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-5 / Section 24-5-35
§ 24-5-35. Pothole hotline.
Status: in_force

The department of transportation is hereby authorized and directed to establish a toll-free telephone hotline (1-800-pothole or 1-888-pothole, if available) for the purpose of reporting potholes to the state. If the department determines that a given pothole is not on a state highway but on a city or town highway, it shall make that information available to the respective municipality.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-1.4 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-8 / Section 24-8-1.4
§ 24-8-1.4. Annual report and recommendations  Roads on which expenditures made  Contracts.
Status: in_force

(a) The director of transportation shall annually make a report to the general assembly, during the month of January, setting forth in detail all the departments transactions during the preceding year, and making such recommendations for improving the Rhode Island highway system, as the director shall deem necessary, in the best interest of the state, having regard also for the connection of the system with the main highways of the adjoining states.

(b) The director of transportation shall direct and control, according to law, the expenditure of all appropriations for improvement and upon the directors request, the department of administration is hereby authorized to make all contracts necessary for that purpose. Any work in reference to state roads must be approved by the director of transportation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-5-11 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-5 / Section 24-5-11
§ 24-5-11. Damage in removing obstructions or materials.
Status: in_force

All claims for damages for any acts done or materials taken under §§ 24-5-9 and 24-5-10 shall be claims against the town under which the surveyor of highways acted.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-1-5 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-1 / Section 24-1-5
§ 24-1-5. Service of notice of condemnation.
Status: in_force

After the filing of the copy of the resolution, description and plat, notice of the taking of land or other real property shall be served upon the owners of or persons having any estate or interest in the real property by the city or town sergeant or any constable of the city or town by leaving a copy of the resolution, description and plat attested by the city or town clerk with each of such persons personally, or at the last and usual place of abode in this state with some person living there, and in case any of such persons are absent from this state and have no last and usual place of abode therein occupied by any person, a copy shall be left with the person or persons, if any, in charge of, or having possession of the land or other real property taken of the absent persons, and another copy thereof shall be mailed to the address of the person, if the address is known to the officer serving the notice.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-3-13 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-3 / Section 24-3-13
§ 24-3-13. Payment of damages awarded  Action against town.
Status: in_force

The town or city shall, within four (4) months after the confirmation of the report of the commissioners, pay to the person entitled thereto the amount of damage finally awarded upon the report. In the case of a default of the payment, the person entitled to the payment, after application to the town or city council for payment thereof, may sue the town or city for and recover the payment, with interest. In the suit it shall be sufficient to declare generally for so much money due the plaintiff, by virtue of this chapter, for premises taken for the purpose herein mentioned; and the plaintiff may give any special matter in evidence under a general declaration, with proof of the right of the plaintiff to the sum demanded.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-3-31 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-3 / Section 24-3-31
§ 24-3-31. Islands exempt from provisions.
Status: in_force

Hope, Patience, and Hog Islands are exempted from the operation of §§ 24-3-23  24-3-30 and §§ 24-5-1  24-5-27.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-37 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-37
§ 24-12-37. Penalty for nonpayment of toll  Toll violators and toll evaders.
Status: in_force

(a) Legislative findings. The general assembly finds as follows:

(1) That all users of any tolled projects should be required to timely pay for the use of such projects;

(2) That toll violators and toll evaders unfairly shift the financial burden of maintaining the tolled projects to other project users; and

(3) Rhode Island has a strong interest in ensuring that its transportation infrastructure is adequately funded in a fair and equitable manner.

(b) In each instance when a person fails or refuses to pay or prepay the required toll on a tolled project, and is issued a violation for the same, the toll violator shall pay the toll amount within fourteen (14) days of issuance of the violation.

(c) Any toll violator who fails to pay the toll amount due within the fourteen-day (14) period in subsection (b) shall immediately incur a forty-dollar ($40.00) administrative fee in addition to the unpaid toll amount.

(d) Any toll violator who fails to pay the administrative fee and unpaid toll as required by subsection (c) within forty-five (45) days of the issuance of the original violation, shall incur a thirty five-dollar ($35.00) administrative fee in addition to the forty dollar ($40.00) administrative fee and the unpaid toll amount. The toll amount and administrative fees shall be paid to the authority.

(e) Toll evaders shall be responsible for any tolls and administrative fees applicable to toll violators. Further, at the request of the authority, any toll evader shall also promptly receive a traffic violation summons that shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Rhode Island traffic tribunal, which may suspend the toll evaders drivers license for up to six (6) months for the violations and assess a fine of up to five hundred dollars ($500), or both. All tolls, administrative fees, and fines shall be payable to the authority.

(f) If any unpaid toll amounts, administrative fees, and fines are not paid within ninety (90) days of the issuance of the original violation, and the toll violator has incurred at least ten (10) instances in which such toll violator has failed to pay any required toll amounts, administrative fees, and fines, then the authority may report the person as a toll violator, or, if appropriate, as a toll evader, to the Rhode Island division of motor vehicles, who then shall not permit that person to renew his or her drivers license and vehicle registration until any unpaid toll amounts, administrative fees, and fines are paid to the authority. Upon the authoritys receipt of such payment or a written repayment agreement between the person and the authority, the authority shall promptly issue a verbal, written, or electric confirmation showing the amounts paid and a certification that the person does not owe any amounts to the authority or has otherwise made satisfactory repayment arrangements with the authority. In any such case, the Rhode Island division of motor vehicles shall forthwith release any hold placed for this purpose on the persons license renewal and vehicle registration renewal. If a person who made satisfactory repayment arrangements with the authority subsequently fails to honor and comply with such arrangements with the authority according to their terms, the authority may re-report the person to the Rhode Island division of motor vehicles which shall then prohibit that person from renewing their drivers license and vehicle registration until the originally unpaid toll amounts, administrative fees, and fines are paid to the authority.

(g) Toll violator means, for the purposes of this section, any person who uses any project and fails to pay or prepay the required toll.

(h) Toll evader means, for the purposes of this section, any person who uses a project, fails or refuses to pay or prepay the required toll, and deliberately circumvents or proceeds around or through a gate or other barrier on a project; and/or any toll violator who fails or refuses to pay or prepay the required toll on a tolled project at least twenty (20) or more times, received at least three (3) written notices from the authority (or its agent) regarding the non-payment of tolls, and is not a party to, or in current compliance with, a written repayment plan with the authority.

(i) The authority may promulgate appropriate rules and regulations to ensure the proper administration of the provisions of this section. Any person aggrieved by the authoritys assessment of any administrative fees may request review of such assessment through the process established by the authority, which shall not be subject to the provisions of chapter 35 of title 42.

(j) For the purposes of this section only, person means the registered owner, EZPass account holder, driver, rentee, or lessee of a motor vehicle.

(k) This section shall apply retroactively to all persons who are toll evaders as of the effective date of this act [October 1, 2016].

(l) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to reduce or otherwise eliminate any tolls, fines, or penalties a person owes to the authority based upon violations occurring prior to the effective date of this act [October 1, 2016].

(m) It is unlawful for any person or business, other than an authorized representative of the authority, or any other duly authorized and existing toll or transportation agency, to sell, lease, rent, or offer for sale, lease or rent, any tokens, tickets, passes, transponders, or other evidences of payment issued for passage on any project. Any person or business who or that is found in violation of this subsection shall be punished, for each offense, by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500).

(n) If any provision of this section or its application to any person is deemed invalid, any such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions of this section that may lawfully be given effect without the invalid provision.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-5-10 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-5 / Section 24-5-10
§ 24-5-10. Taking of road materials from adjoining land.
Status: in_force

Any surveyor of highways may, with the consent of the town council or committee thereof having care and direction of his or her district, for the purpose of obtaining materials for repairing any highway, enter upon and dig for stone, gravel, clay, marl, sand, or earth in any adjoining land not forming a part of the messuage connected with any dwelling house, or not used as a cemetery or burial ground or otherwise appropriated to the burial of the dead; and may remove the material thus dug up to a place or places in the highways for the repair and amendment thereof as the surveyor shall deem necessary; provided, that land which is platted in house lots, and the plat thereof recorded in the land records of the town where it lies, shall not be so entered upon.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-13 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-13
§ 24-12-13. Deposits in court on eminent domain  Notice to owners  Agreement as to price.
Status: in_force

No sum paid into the court as provided in § 24-12-12 shall be charged with clerks fees of any nature. After the filing of the copy, plat, and statement, notice of the taking of the land, or interest therein, shall be served upon the owners of and persons having an estate in and interested in the land by a member of the division of sheriffs, leaving a true and attested copy of the description and statement with each of the persons personally, or at their last and usual place of abode in this state with some person living there, and in case any of the persons are absent from this state and have no last and usual place of abode therein occupied by any person, the copy shall be left with the persons, if any, in charge of or having possession of the land, or interest therein, taken of the absent persons if the same are known to the officer; and after the filing of the resolution, plat and statement, the secretary of the authority shall cause a copy of the resolution and statement to be published in some newspaper published in the county where the land, or interest therein, may be located, at least once a week for three (3) successive weeks. If any person shall agree with the authority for the price of the land, or interest therein, so taken, the court upon the application of the parties in interest, may order that the sum agreed upon be paid immediately from the money deposited, as the just compensation to be awarded in the proceeding.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-11 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-11
§ 24-12-11. Filing of eminent domain resolution, plat, and statement of amount offered.
Status: in_force

The necessity for acquisition shall be conclusively presumed upon the adoption by the authority of a resolution declaring that the acquisition of the land, or interest therein, described in the resolution is necessary for the construction or operation. Within six (6) months thereafter the authority shall cause to be filed in the land evidence records of the city or town in which the land is located a copy of the resolution of the authority, together with a plat of the land, or interest therein described, and a statement, signed by the chairperson of the authority, that the lands, or interests therein, are taken pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. Thereupon the authority shall file in the superior court in and for the county in which the land, or interest therein, lies, a statement of the sum of money estimated by the authority to be just compensation for the land taken.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-3-14 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-3 / Section 24-3-14
§ 24-3-14. Collection of assessments for benefits  Lien.
Status: in_force

The amount of benefit apportioned and assessed to the owners of real estate by the commissioners in their report, confirmed as aforesaid, and required by the report to be paid by the respective owners, shall be added to the taxes assessed against the real estate and the owners thereof by the assessors of taxes at the next or any subsequent annual assessment of taxes after the confirmation of the report, and shall be and remain a lien upon the real estates from and after the confirmation until it is paid, and shall be collected at the same time and in the same manner as the other taxes assessed against the real estate and the owners thereof; except in cases where the estates are owned by nonresidents in the state, or minors, in which case one year in addition shall be allowed.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-57 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-57
§ 24-12-57. General George S. Greene Memorial Bridge.
Status: in_force

The bridge known as Bridge No. 5 on Post Road in the Apponaug section of the city of Warwick shall hereafter be known as the General George S. Greene Memorial Bridge.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-40F — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-40F
§ 24-12-40F. Title to Sakonnet River Bridge vested in Rhode Island turnpike and Bridge authority  Institution of tolls.
Status: in_force

All powers, control, and jurisdiction of and title to the Sakonnet River Bridge is authorized to be transferred to the Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority. Beginning August 19, 2013, and concluding on June 30, 2014, the authority may charge and collect tolls for the use of the Sakonnet River Bridge to provide funds sufficient with any other monies available therefor for paying the costs of acquiring, leasing, maintaining, repairing, and operating the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge, the Mount Hope Bridge, the Newport Bridge, the Sakonnet River Bridge, the turnpike, and additional facilities. Provided, however, until June 30, 2014, the toll imposed on the Sakonnet River Bridge shall not exceed ten cents ($0.10).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-4.1 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-8 / Section 24-8-4.1
§ 24-8-4.1. Highway workers.
Status: in_force

All persons working on any public way in this state shall be required to wear distinctly visible clothing of a type approved by the director of the department of transportation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-26 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-26
§ 24-12-26. Power to collect tolls and charges  Gasoline and service concessions.
Status: in_force

(a) The authority is hereby authorized, subject to the provisions of this chapter, to fix, revise, charge and collect tolls for the use of the Newport Bridge, the Mount Hope Bridge, the turnpike and the different parts or sections thereof, and for the use of any additional facility and the different parts or sections thereof, and to contract with any person, partnership, association or corporation for placing on any project telephone, telegraph, electric light or power lines, gas stations, garages, and restaurants if deemed necessary by the authority in connection with the project, or for the use of any project or part thereof, including the right-of-way adjoining the paved portion of the turnpike or of any additional facility or for any other purposes and to fix the terms, conditions, rents and rates of charges for such use; provided, that the authority shall construct any gasoline service facilities which it may determine are needed on the project, and provided, further, that, to afford users of the project a reasonable choice of motor fuels of different brands, each gasoline service station shall be separately offered for lease upon sealed bids and, after notice of the offer has been published once a week in three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper having general circulation in the state, and, in the event an acceptable bid shall be received in the judgment of the authority, each lease shall be awarded to the highest responsible bidder therefor, but no person shall be awarded or have the use of, nor shall motor fuel identified by the trade-marks, trade names, or brands of any one supplier, distributor, or retailer of such fuel be sold at more than one service station if they would constitute more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the service stations on the project. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, members of the town of Jamestown police and fire department and ambulance service personnel of the town of Jamestown and Jamestown school department who, in the course of their duty, are required to pay a toll for use of the Newport Bridge, shall, upon the presentment of receipts for the payment of the toll to the town of Jamestown, be reimbursed for all charges on an annual basis by the town of Jamestown who in turn shall be reimbursed for all payments made by the state. The town of Jamestown shall submit a request for reimbursement to the division of municipal finance for the previous fiscal year (ending June 30th) no later than September 30th of the fiscal year following the fiscal year for which reimbursement is being requested. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, members of the city of Newport police and fire department and rescue personnel who, in the course of their duty, are required to pay a toll for use of the Newport Bridge, shall, upon the presentment of receipts for the payment of the toll to the city of Newport, be reimbursed for all charges on an annual basis by the city of Newport who in turn shall be reimbursed for all payments made by the state. The city of Newport shall submit a request for reimbursement to the division of municipal finance for the previous fiscal year (ending June 30th) no later than September 30th of the fiscal year following the fiscal year for which reimbursement is being requested.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, members of the police and fire department and rescue personnel of any city or town in this state who, in the course of their duty, are required to pay a toll for use of the Mount Hope Bridge or the Sakonnet River Bridge, if any, shall, upon the presentment of receipts for the payment of the toll to their town or city, be reimbursed for all such charges on an annual basis by the town or city, who in turn shall be reimbursed for all payments made by the state. Any city or town shall submit a request for reimbursement to the division of municipal finance for the previous fiscal year (ending June 30th) no later than September 30th of the fiscal year following the fiscal year for which reimbursement is being requested.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-2-8.4 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-2 / Section 24-2-8.4
§ 24-2-8.4. Acceptance and upgrading of access into highway system in town of Burrillville.
Status: in_force

(a) The town of Burrillville shall be permitted to utilize the below listed procedure to provide for the acceptance and upgrading of highways not yet accepted into the towns highway system:

(1) Owners of land fronting on an existing means of ingress and egress to their property which has not been accepted into the town highway system may make application to the town council for acceptance by the town of the access into the towns highway system.

(2) The application must be signed by sixty-six and two thirds percent (66 %) of the owners of land with frontage on the access presented for acceptance.

(3) The access presented for acceptance must be connectable to an accepted town highway or a highway maintained by the state. For good cause shown this provision may be waived by the town council.

(4)(i) Whenever the council shall determine to consider the acceptance and upgrading of highways into the towns highway and defray the cost and expense thereof, or any part thereof by special assessment, the council may cause the town manager or his or her designee to make an investigation of the proposed public improvement and report his or her findings to the council. The report shall include an analysis of the following:

(A) The estimated cost of the proposed public improvement; and

(B) Plans and specifications for the public improvement.

(ii) There shall also be included recommendations as to the following:

(A) The portion of the cost to be borne by a special assessment and the portion, if any, to be borne by the town at large;

(B) The extent of the improvement and boundaries of the highways to be accepted into the towns highway system;

(C) The number of installments in which assessments may be paid; and

(D) Any other facts or recommendations which will aid the council in determining whether the improvements shall be made and how the same shall be financed.

(5) No expenditure, except for the necessary procedures of the council and for the preparing of necessary profiles, plans, specifications and estimates of cost, shall be made for any public improvements, the cost of which is to be paid by special assessment upon the property especially benefitted thereby, until the council has passed a resolution determining to proceed with the public improvement.

(6) Upon receipt of the report of the town manager, if the council shall determine to proceed with the improvement, it shall, by resolution, order the report prepared by the town manager filed with the town clerk. In addition, by the resolution, the council shall tentatively determine to proceed with the public improvement, tentatively determine the necessity thereof and set forth the nature thereof, tentatively designate the limits of the special assessment to be affected and describe the lands to be assessed, tentatively determine the part or proportion of the cost of the public improvement to be paid by the lands specially benefitted thereby and the part or proportion, if any to be paid by the town at large for benefit to the town at large, and shall direct the assessor to make a special assessment roll of the part or proportion of the cost to be borne by the lands specially benefitted according to the benefits received and to report the same to the council. The assessment shall be made on all land abutting the road constructed at a uniform rate for each front foot of the land upon the road or any other method or combination of methods which the town council shall determine to be equitable and fair; provided, however, that no parcel of land shall be assessed for an amount in excess of the benefit conferred thereon as determined by the town council.

(7) When the special assessment roll shall have been reported to the council, it shall order the roll filed in the office of the town clerk for public examination along with the report of the town manager required to be made pursuant to subsection (a)(4), and shall fix a date, time and place when the council shall meet to finally determine the necessity of the improvement, limits of the special assessment district and to review the roll and to hear complaints. The town managers report and the assessment roll shall be open to public inspection for a period of seven (7)days before the hearing required by this section. The town clerk shall give notice of the hearing by the council to determine the necessity for the improvement, composition of the district and review of the special assessment roll, and to hear objections by publication at least once in a newspaper printed and circulated in the town at least ten (10) days prior to the time of the meetings, and shall further cause notice of the meeting to be mailed by first-class mail to each property owner in the special assessment district as shown by the current assessment rolls on file with the tax assessor.

(8) The council shall meet and hear objections to the public improvement to the special assessment district, and the special assessment roll therefor at the time and place appointed or at an adjourned meeting thereof and shall consider any objections thereto. The council may revise, correct or amend the plans, estimates of cost, special assessment district and special assessment roll. If any changes shall be made which result in additions to the special assessment district or increases in the special assessment roll, then a second hearing shall be held with respect to the changes and notice of the hearing shall be given in the same manner as required for the first hearing. After the hearing, or second hearing if required, the council may, by resolution, determine to proceed with the public improvement, determine the necessity thereof and set forth the nature thereof, designate the limits of the special assessment district to be affected and describe the lands to be assessed, finally determine the part or proportion of the cost of the public improvement to be paid by the lands specially benefitted thereby and the part or portion, if any, to be paid by the town at large for benefit to the town at large. The council may also confirm the special assessment roll with the corrections as it may have made, if any, or may refer it back to the assessor for revision, or may annul it or any proceedings in connection therewith. The assessor shall endorse the date of confirmation upon each special assessment roll.

(9) Upon completion of the construction of the road, the town shall accept the road into the towns highway system and maintain it in the same manner as other town accepted roads.

(10) If during or prior to the hearing by the council, the owners of more than one-half (Â½) of the property to be assessed shall object in writing to the improvement, the assessment shall not be made and the improvement shall not take place.

(11) All special assessments contained in any special assessment roll, including any part thereof to be paid in installments, shall, from the date of confirmation of such roll, constitute a lien upon the respective lots or parcels of land assessed and until paid shall be a charge against the respective owners of the several lots and parcels of land and a debt to the town from the persons to whom they are assessed. The lien shall be of the same character and effect as the lien created by the statute for real property taxes, and shall include accrued interest and fees. No judgment or decree nor act of the council vacating a special assessment shall destroy or impair the lien of the town upon the premises assessed for such amount of the assessment as may be equitably charged against the same, or as by a regular mode of proceeding might be lawfully assessed thereon. All special assessments shall become due upon confirmation of the special assessment roll or in annual installments, not to exceed fifteen (15) in number, as the council may determine at the time of confirmation, and, if annual installments, the council may determine the first installment to be due upon confirmation or upon any other date the council may prescribe, and the subsequent installments annually thereafter. Deferred installments shall bear interest at such rate as the council may prescribe which shall not exceed seven percent (7%) per annum.

(12) Whenever any special assessment roll shall be confirmed and be payable, the council shall direct the roll to the tax collector for collection. The tax collector shall mail statements of the several assessments to the respective owners of the several lots and parcels of land assessed, as indicated by the records of the assessor, stating the amount of the assessment and the manner in which it may be paid, provided, however, that failure to mail any statement shall not invalidate the assessment or entitle the owner to an extension of time during which to pay the assessment.

(13) The whole or any part of any such assessment may be paid in full at any time after the date of confirmation of the special assessment roll until the time as the council shall prescribe without interest or penalty.

(14) Each special assessment shall be collected by the tax collector with the same rights and remedies as provided by law for the collection of taxes, except as otherwise provided herein.

(15) After the expiration of the period set forth in subsection (a)(13) for payment without interest or fees, any installment may be discharged by paying the face amount thereof, together with fees and interest thereon from the date of confirmation to the date of payment.

(16) Upon completion of the improvement, the financing and the payment of the cost thereof, the treasurer shall certify to the council the total cost of the improvement together with the amount of the original roll for the improvement.

(17) Should the assessments on any special assessment roll, including the amount assessed to the town at large, prove insufficient for which they were made, then the council may make additional pro rata assessments to supply the deficiency against the town and the several lots and parcels of land in the same ratio as the original assessments, but the total amount assessed against any lot or parcel of land shall not exceed the value of the benefits received from the improvement.

(18) Should the special assessment or the proceeds of sale of any special assessment bonds prove larger than necessary to meet the costs of the improvement or to meet the principal and interest requirements of any special assessment bonds and expenses incidental thereof, the excess shall be placed in the town treasury. If more than five percent (5%), the excess shall be returned pro rata according to assessments; except as otherwise provided in this section. No refunds may be made which contravene the provisions of any evidence of indebtedness secured in whole or in part by such special assessment.

(19) Should any lots or lands be divided after a special assessment thereon has been confirmed and divided into installments, the assessor shall apportion the uncollected amounts upon the several lots and lands so divided, and shall enter the several amounts as amendments upon the special assessment roll. The tax collector, shall, within ten (10) days after such apportionment, send notice of such action to all interested persons at their last known address by first-class mail. The apportionment shall be final and conclusive on all parties unless protest in writing is received by the tax collector within twenty (20) days of the mailing of the notice.

(20) Whenever the council deems any special assessment invalid or defective, or whenever a court adjudges an assessment to be illegal in whole or in part, the council may cause a new assessment to be levied for the same purpose, whether or not the improvement or any part thereof has been completed, or any part of the special assessment collected. All proceedings on the reassessment and for the collection thereof shall be conducted in the same manner as provided for in the original assessment. If any portion of the original special assessment is collected and not refunded, it shall be applied upon the reassessment, and the reassessment shall, to that extent, be deemed satisfied. If more than the amount reassessed is collected, the balance shall be refunded to the person making such payment.

(21) If, in any action, it shall appear that by reason of any irregularities or informalities, the assessment has not been properly made against the person assessed or upon the lot or premises sought to be charged, the court may, nevertheless, upon satisfactory proof that expense has been incurred by the town which is a proper charge against the person assessed or the lot or premises in question, render judgment for the amount properly chargeable against such person or upon such lot or premises.

(22) In any case where the provisions of this section may prove to be insufficient to carry into full effect the making of any improvement or the special assessment therefor, the council shall provide any additional steps or procedure required to effect the improvement by special assessment in the resolution declaring the determination of the council to make such improvement in the first instance.

(b) This section shall not be construed to limit the town from exercising any of its rights under law and is intended only to provide a mechanism to provide landowners with a means of upgrading access to their property and repaying the town over an agreed period of time at an agreed interest rate.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-18-3 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-18 / Section 24-18-3
§ 24-18-3. Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, the following terms, unless the context requires a different interpretation, shall have the following meanings:

(1) Agency means the Rhode Island infrastructure bank as set forth in chapter 12.2 of title 46;

(2) Annual construction plan means the finalized list of approved projects to commence construction each calendar year;

(3) Approved project means any project approved by the agency for financial assistance;

(4) Department means the department of transportation, or, if the department shall be abolished, the board, body, or commission succeeding to the principal functions thereof or upon whom the powers given by chapter 5 of title 37 to the department shall be given by law;

(5) Eligible project means an infrastructure plan, or portion of an infrastructure plan, that meets the project evaluation criteria;

(6) Financial assistance means any form of financial assistance other than grants provided by the agency to a city or town in accordance with this chapter for all or any part of the cost of an approved project, including, without limitation, temporary and permanent loans, with or without interest, guarantees, insurance, subsidies for the payment of debt service on loans, lines of credit, and similar forms of financial assistance;

(7) Infrastructure plan means a project proposed by a city or town that would make capital improvements to roads, bridges, and appurtenances thereto consistent with project evaluation criteria;

(8) Market rate means the rate the city or town would receive in the open market at the time of the original loan agreement as determined by the agency in accordance with its rules and regulations;

(9) Project evaluation criteria means the criteria used by the department to evaluate infrastructure plans and rank eligible projects and shall include, but not be limited to:

(i) The extent to which the project generates economic benefits;

(ii) The extent to which the project would be able to proceed at an earlier date;

(iii) The likelihood that the project would provide mobility benefits;

(iv) The cost effectiveness of the project;

(v) The likelihood that the project would increase safety; and

(vi) The projects readiness to proceed within the forthcoming calendar year.

(10) Project priority list means the list of eligible projects ranked in the order in which financial assistance shall be awarded by the agency pursuant to § 24-18-7;

(11) Revolving fund means the municipal road and bridge revolving fund established under § 24-18-4; and

(12) Subsidy assistance means credit enhancements and other measures to reduce the borrowing costs for a city or town.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-37 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-8 / Section 24-8-37
§ 24-8-37. Penalties.
Status: in_force

Any person, firm, corporation, or municipality who violates any of the provisions of §§ 24-8-32  24-8-34 may be enjoined upon a complaint filed by the director in superior court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-2-3 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-2 / Section 24-2-3
§ 24-2-3. Appeal of declaration.
Status: in_force

Every person aggrieved by the proceedings described in § 24-2-2 may appeal therefrom to the superior court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-20 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-8 / Section 24-8-20
§ 24-8-20. Location of fuel pumps adjacent to highway.
Status: in_force

No owner or other persons shall hereafter locate a pump as defined in § 31-36-1, or a pump to be used to distribute lubricating oils or any attachments thereof within ten feet (10²) of the boundary line of a state road without first obtaining the permission of the department of transportation. The department shall determine applications for permission upon the basis of public safety and may impose upon permits granted reasonable conditions to insure public safety.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-2-8.3 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-2 / Section 24-2-8.3
§ 24-2-8.3. Acceptance and upgrading of access into highway system in town of Richmond.
Status: in_force

(a) The town of Richmond shall be permitted to utilize the below listed procedure to provide for the acceptance and upgrading of highways not yet accepted into the towns highway system:

(1) Owners of land fronting on an existing means of ingress and egress to their property which has not been accepted into the town highway system may make application to the town council for acceptance by the town of the access into the towns highway system.

(2) The application must be signed by sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 %) of the owners of land with frontage on the access presented for acceptance.

(3) The access presented for acceptance must be connectable to an accepted town highway or a highway maintained by the state.

(4)(i) Upon receipt of application, the town will obtain an estimate of cost to create from the access a highway to be accepted by the town into the town highway system.

(ii) The town shall provide the applicants with a copy of the estimate.

(5) To have the access improved or a road constructed by the town the applicants shall agree by written contract to the following:

(i) To repay the town for the cost of construction or improvement as outlined in the estimate provided them. Repayment to the town shall not exceed fifteen (15) years and shall be repaid with interest not to exceed the prime rate at the date of contract.

(ii) The percentage of repayment of the total estimate for each landowner shall be based on the frontage owned by the landowner divided by the total frontage on both sides of the access.

(iii) The repayment agreement shall be binding on the landowners heirs and assigns, shall be recorded on the land records of the town, shall create a tax lien against the land until fully repaid and shall be collectable on nonpayment under the provisions of chapter 9 of title 44.

(iv) The landowner shall deed to the town the land necessary for construction or improvement as the town shall designate.

(v) Upon completion of the obligations of the applicants and the recording of the repayment contract the town shall contract for the construction or improvements outlined in the estimate and shall accept the improved highway into the town highway system and shall be liable for the mending and repairing of the highway.

(vi) The town shall be entitled during construction or improvement of the access into an acceptable town highway to use those portions of the applying landowners property as needed to construct or improve the highway without payment of compensation to the landowner.

(b) This section shall not be construed to limit the town from exercising any of its rights under law and is intended only to provide a mechanism to provide landowners with a means of upgrading access to their property and repaying the town over an agreed period of time at an agreed interest rate.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-40 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-40
§ 24-12-40. Dissolution of Jamestown Bridge commission  Bridge to become toll free portion of state highway system  Covenants with bondholders.
Status: in_force

(a) In case provision shall be made for the redemption of the outstanding bridge revenue refunding bonds of the Jamestown Bridge commission through the operation of the sinking fund for the bonds before the issuance of revenue bonds under the provisions of § 24-12-21, or in case the outstanding bridge revenue refunding bonds are retired from the proceeds of revenue bonds issued under the provisions of § 24-12-21, and in either event, the Jamestown Bridge commission shall thereupon be dissolved and all powers, control, and jurisdiction over and title to the Jamestown Bridge shall vest immediately in the state, which shall thereafter maintain, repair, and operate the bridge and the bridge shall thereafter constitute a toll free portion of the state highway system.

(b) In recognition of engineering studies which show that the charging and collecting of tolls for the use of the Jamestown Bridge or a failure of the state to maintain, repair, and operate the bridge would decrease traffic over the Newport Bridge and diminish the toll revenues to be received on account of the operation of the Newport Bridge, the state covenants and agrees with the holders of any bonds or obligations of the authority issued to pay the cost of the Newport Bridge, that during any period when the bonds or obligations shall be outstanding and unpaid, the laws of Rhode Island shall not be amended to authorize or permit the charging and collecting of tolls on the Jamestown Bridge and the state shall maintain, repair, and operate the Jamestown Bridge as a portion of the state highway system.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-16-4 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-16 / Section 24-16-4
§ 24-16-4. Department of transportation consultation.
Status: in_force

In the project development process the department of transportation shall consult with transportation, land-use and environmental officials, including representatives from:

(1) Cities and towns;

(2) Metropolitan planning organizations;

(3) Public transit operators;

(4) Relevant state agencies; and

(5) Other relevant stakeholders, including, but not limited to, representatives from disability rights groups, aging groups, bicycle and pedestrian advocates, and developers.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-15-5 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-15 / Section 24-15-5
§ 24-15-5. Joint jurisdiction of highways.
Status: in_force

Highways under the joint jurisdiction of two (2) or more municipalities may not be designated scenic highways or be withdrawn from the scenic highway system until after approval by the governing bodies of all affected municipalities and the board.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-3-27 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-3 / Section 24-3-27
§ 24-3-27. Settlement or appraisal of damages from change of grade.
Status: in_force

Whenever any abutting owner shall deem himself or herself to be injured by any change in the grade of a highway, and the owner shall make a claim for compensation for the injury to the town council within forty (40) days after the change of grade shall have been completed, the town council shall appoint three (3) suitable and indifferent persons, not interested in the lands bordering on the highway the grade of which has been changed, who shall be engaged to the faithful discharge of their duties, and who shall go upon the highway when the grade thereof has been changed, and examine the highway, and the estate alleged to have been injured by changing the grade of the highway, and endeavor to agree with the owner of the estate as to the amount of damage sustained by the owner by means of the change of grade, and if they agree with the owner, they shall reduce the agreement to writing and report the agreement to the town council, which report shall be binding upon the owner and upon the town; but if they fail to agree with the owner as to the damage, they shall report the failure to the town council, whereupon the council, after notice to the owner and offering him or her an opportunity to be heard, shall proceed to appraise the damage done to the owner by means of the change of grade.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-2-8.1 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-2 / Section 24-2-8.1
§ 24-2-8.1. Acceptance and upgrading of access into highway system in town of Charlestown.
Status: in_force

(a) The town of Charlestown shall be permitted to utilize the below listed procedure to provide for the acceptance and upgrading of highways not yet accepted into the towns highway system:

(1) Owners of land fronting on an existing means of ingress and egress to their property which has not been accepted into the town highway system may make application to the town council for acceptance by the town of the access into the towns highway system.

(2) The application must be signed by seventy-five percent (75%) of the owners of land with frontage on the access presented for acceptance.

(3) The access presented for acceptance must be connectable to an accepted town highway or a highway maintained by the state.

(4)(i) Upon receipt of application, the town will obtain an estimate of cost to create from the access a highway to be accepted by the town into the town highway system.

(ii) The town shall provide the applicants with a copy of the estimate.

(5) To have the access improved or a road constructed by the town the applicants shall agree by written contract to the following:

(i) To repay the town for the cost of construction or improvement as outlined in the estimate provided them. Repayment to the town shall not exceed fifteen (15) years and shall be repaid with interest not to exceed the prime rate at the date of contract.

(ii) The percentage of repayment of the total estimate for each landowner shall be based on the frontage owned by the landowner divided by the total frontage on both sides of the access.

(iii) The repayment agreement shall be binding on the landowners heirs and assigns, shall be recorded on the land records of the town, shall create a tax lien against the land until fully repaid and shall be collectable on nonpayment under the provisions of chapter 9 of title 44.

(iv) The landowner shall deed to the town the land necessary for construction or improvement as the town shall designate.

(v) Upon completion of the obligations of the applicants and the recording of the repayment contract the town shall contract for the construction or improvements outlined in the estimate and shall accept the improved highway into the town highway system and shall be liable for the mending and repairing of the highway.

(vi) The town shall be entitled during construction or improvement of the access into an acceptable town highway to use those portions of the applying landowners property as needed to construct or improve the highway without payment of compensation to the landowner.

(b) This section shall not be construed to limit the town from exercising any of its rights under law and is intended only to provide a mechanism to provide landowners with a means of upgrading access to their property and repaying the town over an agreed period of time at an agreed interest rate.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-17 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-17
§ 24-12-17. Expediting proceedings  Land devoted to public use  Outstanding interests.
Status: in_force

In any proceedings for the assessment of compensation and damages for land or interest therein taken or to be taken by eminent domain by the authority the following provisions shall be applicable:

(1) At any time during the pendency of an action or proceeding, the authority or an owner may apply to the court for an order directing an owner or the authority, as the case may be, to show cause why further proceedings should not be expedited, and the court may upon the application make an order requiring that the hearings proceed and that any other steps be taken with all possible expedition.

(2) If any of the land, or interest therein, is devoted to a public use, it may nevertheless be acquired, and the taking shall be effective provided that no land or interest therein, belonging to a public utility corporation may be acquired without the approval of the administrator of public utilities or other officer or tribunal having regulatory power over the corporation. Any land, or interest therein, already acquired by the authority may nevertheless be included within the taking for the purpose of acquiring any outstanding interests in the land.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-9-1 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-9 / Section 24-9-1
§ 24-9-1. Purpose of chapter.
Status: in_force

While appropriations adequate to meet the normal average needs of the department of transportation in the performance of its duties relating to maintenance of roads and related matters are annually made in legislation appropriating funds for each fiscal year, the general assembly recognizes the necessity for anticipating and making advance provision to care for the unusual and extraordinary burdens imposed on the department by reason of extreme climatic phenomena and other emergencies. For these purposes, it is the intention of the general assembly to forearm the department, vesting it with adequate power and authority within the limitation of available funds in the storm emergency account to meet any such emergency.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-15-10.2 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-15 / Section 24-15-10.2
§ 24-15-10.2. Powers and duties.
Status: in_force

In addition to the duties and powers conferred upon the board by this chapter, it has the following additional duties and powers:

(1) To conduct a training course for newly appointed and qualified members and new designees of ex-officio members within six (6) months of their qualification or designation. The course shall be developed by the chair of the board, approved by the board, and conducted by the chair of the board. The board may approve the use of any board or staff members or other individuals to assist with training. It shall include instruction in the following areas: the provisions of chapters 25-15, 42-46, 36-14 and 38-2; and the boards rules and regulations. The director of the department of administration shall, within ninety (90) days of the effective date of this act, prepare and disseminate training materials relating to the provisions of chapters 42-46, 36-14 and 38-2.

(2) To approve and submit, an annual report within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, and the secretary of state of its activities during that fiscal year. The report shall provide: an operating statement summarizing meetings or hearings held, including meeting minutes, subjects addressed, decisions rendered, applications considered and their disposition, rules or regulations promulgated, studies conducted, policies and plans developed, approved, or modified, and programs administered or initiated; a consolidated financial statement of all funds received and expended including the source of the funds, a listing of any staff supported by these funds, and a summary of any clerical, administrative or technical support received; a summary of performance during the previous fiscal year including accomplishments, shortcomings and remedies; a synopsis of any legal matters related to the authority of the board; a summary of any training courses held pursuant to this section; a briefing on anticipated activities in the upcoming fiscal year; and findings and recommendations for improvements. The report shall be posted electronically as prescribed in § 42-20-8.2. The director of the department of administration shall be responsible for the enforcement of this provision.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-52 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-52
§ 24-12-52. Succotash Road Bridge.
Status: in_force

The Succotash Road Bridge in the town of South Kingstown shall be named and known as the Norman Lavallee Bridge.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-14-5 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-14 / Section 24-14-5
§ 24-14-5. Junkyards lawfully in existence.
Status: in_force

Any junkyard lawfully in existence on May 6, 1966, or which is or may be lawfully established along any highway which is hereafter made a part of the interstate or primary systems and which has been so established before the inclusion of the highway within the interstate or primary systems and which is within one thousand feet (1000²) of the nearest edge of the right-of-way and visible from the main traveled way of any highway on the interstate or primary system, shall be screened, if feasible, by the director of transportation at locations on the highway right-of-way or in areas acquired for such purposes outside the right-of-way so as not to be visible from the main traveled way of the highways; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall be construed to relieve the owners or operators of automobile junkyards from the provisions of chapter 21 of title 5 relating to the screening thereof.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-10-20 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-10 / Section 24-10-20
§ 24-10-20. Park and ride lots.
Status: in_force

Park and ride lots, also known as fringe and transportation corridor parking facilities, are facilities which are intended to be used for the temporary parking of passenger vehicles and which are located and designed so as to facilitate the safe and convenient transfer of persons traveling in passenger vehicles to and from high occupancy vehicles and/or public mass transportation systems including rail. Any other vehicle parked and/or property, including but not limited to, boats or commercial type trailer boxes, stored at those lots will be fined and towed at owners expense. State and local law enforcement officials have authority to ticket and tow any vehicles under this statute. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-7-9 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-7 / Section 24-7-9
§ 24-7-9. Permits for telephone booths and equipment  Exception.
Status: in_force

In addition to all powers heretofore granted each city and town by charter or by the public laws of the state with respect to the maintenance and use of the sidewalks and the public highways and streets within the cities and towns, the city council of any city and the town council of any town is hereby empowered by ordinance to authorize the placing and maintenance of telephone booths, telephones, and their appurtenances within the limits of any sidewalk or public highway or street within the bounds of the city or town, and to designate a city or town official from time to time to issue permits therefor; and provided, further, that this section shall not apply to the placing and maintenance of the poles, wires, conduits, and other equipment of any telephone company within the limits of any sidewalk or public highway.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-20 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-20
§ 24-12-20. Interim receipts or temporary bonds  Replacement of lost or mutilated bonds  Proceedings required by chapter exclusive.
Status: in_force

Prior to the preparation of definitive bonds, the authority may, under like restrictions, issue interim receipts or temporary bonds, with or without coupons, exchangeable for definitive bonds when the bonds shall have been executed and are available for delivery. The authority may also provide for the replacement of any bonds which shall become mutilated or shall be destroyed or lost. Bonds may be issued under the provisions of this chapter without obtaining the consent of any department, division, commission, board, bureau, or agency of the state, and without any other proceedings or the happening of any other conditions or things than those proceedings, conditions or things which are specifically required by this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-15 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-15
§ 24-12-15. Representation of incompetent landowners.
Status: in_force

If any lands, or interests therein, in which any infant or other person not capable in law to act in his or her own behalf is interested, are taken by the authority under the provisions of this chapter, the superior court, upon the filing therein of any petition by or in behalf of an infant or other person, may appoint a guardian ad litem for the infant or other person, and the guardian may appear and be heard in behalf of the infant or other person; and the guardian may also with the advice and consent of the superior court and upon such terms as the superior court may prescribe, release to the authority all claims for damages for the lands of the infant or other person or for any interests therein. Any lawfully appointed, qualified, and acting guardian or other fiduciary of the estate of any infant or other person, with the approval of the court of probate within this state having jurisdiction to authorize the sale of lands and properties within this state of any infant or other person, may, before the filing of any petition, agree with the authority upon the amount of damages suffered by the infant or other person by any taking of his or her lands or of his or her interests in any lands, and may, upon receiving the amount, release to the authority all claims of damages of the infant or other person for the taking.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-17-2 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-17 / Section 24-17-2
§ 24-17-2. Legislative findings.
Status: in_force

The general assembly finds that:

(1) The State of Rhode Island, through the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), funds the repair, replacement, and maintenance of bridges in Rhode Island, except the Newport Bridge and the Mount Hope Bridge.

(2) Rhode Island depends on three primary sources for funding all transportation infrastructure construction, maintenance, and operations. These sources are Federal funds, State bond funds, and motor fuel tax revenue. Of these sources, two (Federal funds and motor fuel tax revenue) are mutable.

(3) The 2008 Governors Blue Ribbon Panel on Transportation Funding and the 2011 Senate Special Commission on Sustainable Transportation funding determined that there is insufficient revenue available from all existing sources to fund the maintenance and improvement of Rhode Island transportation infrastructure.

(4) In 2011, the Rhode Island general assembly adopted a component of the recommended systemic change to transportation funding by creating the Rhode Island Highway Maintenance Trust Fund, to be funded by an increase in license and registration fees and contributions from the Rhode Island Capital Plan (RICAP) fund, beginning in FY2014.

(5) Although the State is shifting from long-term borrowing to annual revenues to fund transportation infrastructure, there is still a funding gap between the revenue needed to maintain all roads and bridges in good condition and the annual amounts generated by current revenue sources.

(6) The State has sufficient financial resources to complete the construction of the new Sakonnet River Bridge and to demolish the existing Sakonnet River Bridge, but does not have sufficient financial resources to assure the future maintenance and operation of the Sakonnet River Bridge.

(7) There is limited access to and from Rhode Islands East Bay, consisting of Bristol and Newport Counties, and this access is restricted both by geography and infrastructure. The most critical infrastructure includes the four bridges that comprise the access to Aquidneck Island and Conanicut Island. These four bridges make up less than half a percent of the total bridges in the state, but comprise approximately twenty percent of the deck area of all Rhode Island bridges.

(8) Two of the four bridges, the Sakonnet River Bridge and the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge, are owned and maintained by RIDOT. The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) currently owns and maintains the other two bridges: the Newport Bridge and the Mount Hope Bridge.

(9) In the current economic and political climate, cooperation between State departments and/or quasi-public agencies provides the best opportunity to maximize financial and knowledge-based resources.

(10) RITBA currently assesses a toll for passage over the Newport Bridge, and this toll serves as the sole source of revenue for RITBA to maintain both the Newport Bridge and the Mount Hope Bridge and related appurtenances.

(11) The Federal Highway Administration allows for the placement of tolls on certain transportation infrastructure in order to assure the improvement and proper operation and maintenance of the structure and associated roadways.

(12) The current toll structure places undue burden on the residents, businesses, and visitors who must use the Newport Bridge to access work, schools, shopping, and other essential services. It is crucial to establish a comprehensive strategy to fund and maintain the bridges connecting the East Bay.

(13) The transfer of the Sakonnet River Bridge and its appurtenances and the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge and its appurtenances to the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority would be in the best interests of the State of Rhode Island and its residents, particularly those living and working in the East Bay.

(14) The placement of a toll on the Sakonnet River Bridge, under the direction of RITBA, would serve to create a more viable means of funding future maintenance and repairs of the East Bay bridges and would allow for the establishment of a more equitable toll structure, along with a fund for capital transportation projects and preventive maintenance in the East Bay.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-10 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-10
§ 24-12-10. Eminent domain power.
Status: in_force

The authority shall have the right to acquire any land, or any interest therein, by the exercise of the power of eminent domain, whenever it shall be determined by the authority that the acquisition of the land, or interest, is necessary for the construction or the operation of any project.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-11 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-8 / Section 24-8-11
§ 24-8-11. Beautification.
Status: in_force

The department of transportation is hereby authorized and empowered to plant trees, shrubs and otherwise beautify the area within the limits of a road in a manner and at locations as the department may deem advisable, and the cost of the work shall be paid from moneys, appropriated for highway purposes, not otherwise needed for the construction, reconstruction and maintenance of state roads and bridges; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of such sums as may from time to time be required, upon receipt by him or her of proper vouchers approved by the director of transportation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-33 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-8 / Section 24-8-33
§ 24-8-33. Connection into drainage system.
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to make any connection into a state road drainage system, or to drain or pump water onto the travelled surface of a state highway without first obtaining written permission from the director of the state department of transportation. The director of the department of transportation is empowered to make and file rules and regulations which prescribe the conditions under which the permission shall be granted. The director shall render a decision within ninety (90) days of receipt of the request for permission. Any person, firm, or corporation convicted of violating this section shall be fined one hundred dollars ($100).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-41 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-8 / Section 24-8-41
§ 24-8-41. David Spicer Bridge.
Status: in_force

That part of Route 95 within the city of Providence presently known only as the Route 95 Viaduct shall henceforth be known as the David Spicer Bridge.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-5-33 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-5 / Section 24-5-33
§ 24-5-33. Injury to guideposts.
Status: in_force

Every person who shall injure, mar or deface any guidepost or its substitute, agreed upon as provided in § 24-5-31, or board which shall be set up as is provided by this chapter, shall be fined not exceeding twenty dollars ($20.00) nor less than five dollars ($5.00) to the use of the town.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-10-6 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-10 / Section 24-10-6
§ 24-10-6. Chapter supplemental.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be considered supplementary and in addition to any and all other powers now exercised by the director of transportation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-18-5 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-18 / Section 24-18-5
§ 24-18-5. Administration.
Status: in_force

(a) The agency shall have all the powers necessary and convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of this chapter including, without limiting the generality of the preceding statement, the authority:

(1) To receive and disburse such funds from the state as may be available for the purpose of the revolving fund subject to the provisions of this chapter;

(2) To make and enter into binding commitments to provide financial assistance to local cities and towns from amounts on deposit in the revolving fund;

(3) To enter into binding commitments to provide subsidy assistance for loans and city and town obligations from amounts on deposit in the revolving fund;

(4) To levy administrative fees on cities and towns as necessary to effectuate the provisions of this chapter, provided the fees have been previously authorized by an agreement between the agency and the city or town;

(5) To engage the services of third-party vendors to provide professional services; and

(6) To establish one or more accounts within the revolving fund; and

(7) Such other authority as granted to the agency under chapter 12.2 of title 46.

(b) Subject to the provisions of this chapter, to the provisions of any agreement with the state authorized by § 24-18-6, and to any agreements with the holders of any bonds of the agency or any trustee therefor, amounts held by the agency for the account of the revolving fund shall be applied by the agency, either by direct expenditure, disbursement, or transfer to one or more other funds and accounts held by the agency or maintained under any trust agreement pertaining to bonds, either alone or with other funds of the agency, to the following purposes:

(1) To provide financial assistance to cities and towns to finance costs of approved projects, and to refinance the costs of the projects, subject to such terms and conditions, if any, as are determined by the department and/or the agency in accordance with § 24-18-7;

(2) To fund reserves for bonds of the agency and to purchase insurance and pay the premiums therefor, and pay fees and expenses of letters or lines of credit and costs of reimbursement to the issuers thereof for any payments made thereon or on any insurance, and to otherwise provide security for, and a source of payment for obligations of the agency, by pledge, lien, assignment, or otherwise as provided in chapter 12.2 of title 46;

(3) To pay expenses of the agency and the department in administering the revolving fund. As part of the annual appropriations bill, the department shall set forth the gross amount of expenses received from the agency and a complete, specific breakdown of the sums retained and/or expended for administrative expenses;

(4) To pay or provide for subsidy assistance equivalent to one-third ( ) of the market rate or such other subsidy assistance as determined by the agency;

(5) To provide a reserve for, or to otherwise secure, amounts payable by cities and towns on loans and city and town obligations outstanding in the event of default thereof; amounts in any account in the revolving fund may be applied to defaults on loans outstanding to the city or town for which the account was established and, on a parity basis with all other accounts, to defaults on any loans or city or town obligations outstanding; and

(6) To provide a reserve for, or to otherwise secure, by pledge, lien, assignment, or otherwise as provided in chapter 12.2 of title 46, any bonds of the agency.

(c) In addition to other remedies of the agency under any loan agreement or otherwise provided by law, the agency may also recover from a city or town, in an action in superior court, any amount due the agency together with any other actual damages the agency shall have sustained from the failure or refusal of the city or town to make the payments or abide by the terms of the loan agreement.

(d) Within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year, the agency shall submit an annual report to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, and the secretary of state of its activities during that fiscal year. The report shall provide: a summary of the agencys meetings including when the agency met, subjects addressed, decisions rendered and meeting minutes; a summary of the agencys actions including a listing of rules, regulations, or procedures adopted or amended, applications received for financial assistance for contracts or agreements entered into, applications and intended use plans submitted to federal agencies for capitalization grants, properties acquired or leased, and bonds issued; a synopsis of any complaints, suspensions, or other legal matters related to the authority of the agency; a consolidated financial statement of all funds received and disbursed by the agency including the source of and recipient of the funds which shall be audited by an independent certified public accountant firm; copies of audits or reports required under federal law; a listing of the staff and/or consultants employed by the agency; a listing of findings and recommendation derived from agency activities; and a summary of performance during the previous fiscal year including accomplishments, shortcomings and remedies. The report shall be posted as prescribed in § 42-20-8.2. The director of the department of administration shall be responsible for the enforcement of this provision. The initial report shall be due no later than January 1, 2015.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-2-8.5 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-2 / Section 24-2-8.5
§ 24-2-8.5. Acceptance and upgrading of access into highway system in town of West Warwick.
Status: in_force

(a) The town of West Warwick is permitted to utilize the below listed procedure to provide for the acceptance and upgrading of highways not yet accepted into the towns highway system:

(1) Owners of land fronting on an existing means of ingress and egress to their property which has not been accepted into the town highway system may make application to the town council for acceptance by the town of the access into the towns highway system.

(2) The application must be signed by sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 %) of the owners of land with frontage on the access presented for acceptance.

(3) The access presented for acceptance must be connectable to an accepted town highway or a highway maintained by the state.

(4)(i) Upon receipt of application, the town will obtain an estimate of cost to create from the access a highway to be accepted by the town into the town highway system.

(ii) The town shall provide the applicants with a copy of the estimate.

(5) To have the access improved or a road constructed by the town the applicants shall agree by written contract to the following:

(i) To repay the town for the cost of construction or improvement as outlined in the estimate provided them. Repayment to the town shall not exceed fifteen (15) years and shall be repaid with interest not to exceed the prime rate at the date of contract.

(ii) The percentage of repayment of the total estimate for each landowner shall be based on the frontage owned by the landowner divided by the total frontage on both sides of the access.

(iii) The repayment agreement shall be binding on the landowners heirs and assigns, shall be recorded on the land records of the town, shall create a tax lien against the land until fully repaid and shall be collectable on nonpayment under the provisions of chapter 9 of title 44.

(iv) The landowner shall deed to the town the land necessary for construction or improvement as the town shall designate.

(v) Upon completion of the obligations of the applicants and the recording of the repayment contract the town shall contract for the construction or improvements outlined in the estimate and shall accept the improved highway into the town highway system and shall be liable for the mending and repairing of the highway.

(vi) The town is entitled during construction or improvement of the access into an acceptable town highway to use those portions of the applying landowners property as needed to construct or improve the highway without payment of compensation to the landowner.

(b) This section shall not be construed to limit the town from exercising any of its rights under law and is intended only to provide a mechanism to provide landowners with a means of upgrading access to their property and repaying the town over an agreed period of time at an agreed interest rate.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-23 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-23
§ 24-12-23. Maintenance of Jamestown-Newport ferry service.
Status: in_force

Until the Newport Bridge shall be opened for traffic, ferry service between the town of Jamestown and the city of Newport shall be maintained by the director of transportation and upon the opening of the Newport Bridge for traffic the ferry service shall be discontinued except that the director of transportation may provide ferry service for pedestrians only. The director of transportation is hereby authorized and empowered, after the transfer of the franchise to the authority, to provide ferry service for pedestrians only as provided in this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-5-31 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-5 / Section 24-5-31
§ 24-5-31. Substitutes for guideposts.
Status: in_force

The inhabitants of any town may agree upon some suitable substitute for the guideposts, and appoint any proper person to superintend the erection and support of the guideposts.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-42 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-42
§ 24-12-42. Narragansett Bay Bridge authority obligations.
Status: in_force

All obligations of the Narragansett Bay Bridge authority created by chapter 2152 of the public laws of 1948 to repay any advances made to it by the Jamestown Bridge commission before January 1, 1954 shall be relinquished.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-40B — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-40B
§ 24-12-40B. Certain bonds guaranteed by state.
Status: in_force

(a) The authority is hereby authorized to provide by resolution for the issuance at one time or from time to time of bonds of the authority in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding seventeen million five hundred thousand dollars ($17,500,000) for paying a part of the cost of the Newport Bridge; the bonds shall be designated Newport Bridge bonds  Guaranteed by the state, and shall mature in such annual instalments, the first of which shall be made payable not earlier than five (5) years after the date of the bonds and the last of which shall be made payable not later than fifty (50) years after the date of the bonds, as may be determined by the authority with the approval of the general treasurer. The bonds shall be dated, shall bear interest at such rate or rates not exceeding six percent (6%) per annum and shall be made redeemable before maturity, at the option of the authority, at the price or prices and under such terms and conditions as may be fixed by the authority prior to the issuance of the bonds. The principal of and the interest on the bonds shall be payable at the office of the general treasurer, or at the option of the holder, at any bank or trust company within or without the state. The bonds shall be sold by the authority at public sale upon a call for sealed bids to be received at the office of the general treasurer in the city of Providence; the authority shall cause a notice of the sale to be published at least once at least fourteen (14) days before the date fixed for the receipt of bids in a daily newspaper of general circulation published in the city of Providence and in a daily newspaper of a general circulation or a financial journal published in New York City and devoted primarily to the subject of state, county, and municipal bonds; but no sale shall be made at less than par and accrued interest. The proceeds of the bonds shall be deposited to the credit of a special construction fund and applied by the authority to the payment of the cost of the Newport Bridge. The authority is further authorized, subject to the approval of the general treasurer, to provide by resolution for the issuance of bonds of the authority for the purpose of refunding any bonds then outstanding which shall have been issued under the provisions of this paragraph. The issuance of the bonds and the maturities and other details thereof shall be governed by the foregoing provisions of this subsection insofar as this chapter may be applicable. The state hereby guarantees the payment of the principal of and interest on all bonds issued under the provisions of this subsection as the bonds respectively become due and payable and the full faith and credit of the state are hereby pledged for the payment, and a statement to that effect shall be endorsed on the bonds by the general treasurer.

(b) The revenue bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter for paying the balance of the cost of the Newport Bridge, which revenue bonds, together with the bonds issued under the provisions of subsection (a) and other revenue bonds, if any, issued under the provisions of § 24-12-21 shall not exceed an aggregate principal amount of forty-seven million five hundred thousand dollars ($47,500,000) and shall mature at such time or times, not exceeding fifty (50) years from their date, as may be determined by the authority. Prior to the issuance of the bonds authorized to be issued under the provisions of the first subsection of this section, or the revenue bonds, if any, issued under the provisions of § 24-12-21, or the revenue bonds issued for paying the balance of the cost of the Newport Bridge, the authority shall determine the respective amounts which are to be deposited in each fiscal year to the credit of a special fund for the payment of the interest on and the principal of the bonds and to create a reserve for such purpose, and also to provide a fund for accelerating the maturity or maturities of the bonds (the amounts being hereinafter collectively called the Principal and interest requirements for the bonds).

(c) Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions of this chapter, the authority is hereby authorized and directed to combine the Newport Bridge and the Mount Hope Bridge for financing purposes and to fix, revise, charge and collect tolls for the use of the Newport Bridge and the Mount Hope Bridge, which tolls and all other revenues derived from the Mount Hope Bridge and the Newport Bridge, except such part thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost of maintenance, repair, and operation and to provide the reserves therefor as may be provided for in the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds or in the trust agreement securing the bonds, shall be set aside at such regular intervals as may be provided in the resolution or the trust agreement and deposited to the credit of the following funds in the following order, until the bonds shall have been paid or adequate provisions shall have been made for their payment:

(1) To the credit of a special fund for paying the interest on and the principal of the revenue bonds issued under the provisions of subsection (a) of § 24-12-18 and the revenue bonds, if any, issued under the provisions of § 24-12-21, such amount as may be required to make the amount deposited in the then current fiscal year to the credit of the fund equal to the principal and interest requirements of such bonds in such fiscal year;

(2) To the credit of a special fund for the payment of the interest on and the principal of the bonds issued under the provisions of subsection (a), the amount as may be required to make the amount deposited in the then current fiscal year to the credit of the fund equal to the total amount of the principal of and the interest on the bonds which is payable in the fiscal year; and

(3) To the credit of the special fund referred to in subsection (c)(1), the balance, if any, of the revenues; provided, however, that if the amount so deposited to the credit of the special fund referred to in subsection (c)(1) or to the credit of the special fund referred to in subsection (c)(2), in any fiscal year shall be less than the required amount, the requirement therefor shall nevertheless be cumulative and the amount of any deficiency in any fiscal year shall be added to the amount otherwise required to be deposited in each fiscal year thereafter until such time as all deficiencies shall have been made up.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-5-27 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-5 / Section 24-5-27
§ 24-5-27. Rights of cities unimpaired.
Status: in_force

Nothing herein contained shall be construed to affect the right of any city to maintain and repair its highways in the manner now provided by law for that city.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-3-19 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-3 / Section 24-3-19
§ 24-3-19. Notice of report on definition of grade.
Status: in_force

The town council thereupon shall cause such notice as the council may deem best to be given to all the owners of land abutting on the street or way, to appear before the council at the time named in the notice, if they shall see fit, and be heard for or against receiving the report.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-3-26 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-3 / Section 24-3-26
§ 24-3-26. Collection of curb costs.
Status: in_force

The costs of the curbstones shall be ascertained by the surveyor of highways, and be by the surveyor submitted to and be approved by the town council, and then the surveyor of highways shall demand the costs of the abutting owner, and if the owner shall neglect or refuse to pay the costs, the surveyor of highways shall certify the costs so ascertained and approved, to the assessors of taxes for the town, and the assessors shall include the costs of the curbstones, which sum shall be included in the next assessment of taxes for the town against the land or the owner thereof.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-5-9 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-5 / Section 24-5-9
§ 24-5-9. Removal of obstructions by surveyors.
Status: in_force

Surveyors of highways may cut down, lop off, dig up, and remove all sorts of trees, bushes, stones, fences, rails, gates, bars, enclosures, or other matter or thing that shall in any manner straighten, obstruct, or incommode any highway; provided, that nothing herein contained shall be so construed as to authorize any surveyor, except under the direction of the town council, to cut down or destroy, or other than in a reasonable and proper manner, to lop off or trim up any shade or ornamental tree so planted or maintained by any adjacent owner or occupant upon or near the side of any highways as not to incommode the traveled path.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-7-8 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-7 / Section 24-7-8
§ 24-7-8. Sidewalks along state highways.
Status: in_force

Nothing in this chapter shall be held to oust the state of jurisdiction over any such sidewalks and curbing as may be made, laid, or constructed upon state highways within a town, but no sidewalks or curbing on state highways shall be made, laid, or constructed without the approval of the director of transportation first being had and obtained as to the feasibility, location, type, and time of construction.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-28 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-28
§ 24-12-28. Revenues pledged to sinking fund.
Status: in_force

To the extent provided in the resolution authorizing the issuance of bonds or finance lease or in the trust agreement securing the same, the tolls and all other revenues received by the authority, shall be set aside at such regular intervals as may be provided in the resolution or the trust agreement in a sinking fund or funds which shall be pledged to, and charged with, the payment of the lease payments and/or of the principal of and the interest on the bonds as the bonds shall become due, and the redemption price or the purchase price of bonds or other obligations retired by call or purchase as provided in the resolution or trust agreement. The pledge shall be valid and binding from the time when the pledge is made; the tolls and other revenues or other money so pledged and thereafter received by the authority shall immediately be subject to the lien of the pledge without any physical delivery thereof or further act, and the lien of any pledge shall be valid and binding as against all parties having claims of any kind in tort, contract, or otherwise against the authority, irrespective of whether the parties have notice thereof. Neither the resolution nor any trust agreement by which a pledge is created need be filed or recorded except in the records of the authority. The use and disposition of money to the credit of each sinking fund shall be subject to the provisions of the resolution authorizing the issuance of the lease, the bonds or of the trust agreement. Notwithstanding any provision(s) of Section 3 of Article 6 of Chapter 23 of the Public Laws of 2010, the provisions of this section shall apply to all bonds issued or to be issued by the authority.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-40 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-8 / Section 24-8-40
§ 24-8-40. Woonsocket Lincoln Industrial Highway.
Status: in_force

State highway ninety-nine (99) within the town of Lincoln shall henceforth be known as the Woonsocket Lincoln Industrial Highway.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-1 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-8 / Section 24-8-1
§ 24-8-1. Annual report and recommendations  Roads on which expenditures made  Contracts.
Status: in_force

The director of transportation shall annually make a report to the general assembly, during the month of January, setting forth in detail all its transactions during the preceding year and making such recommendations for improving the main highways of the state as the director shall deem necessary for the best interests of the entire state, having regard also to the connection of the main highways with the main highways of the adjoining states. No work, other than preliminary surveys, shall be done upon any of the main highways previous to the time that the main highways are made a part of the state highway system and money appropriated for their improvement. The director shall direct and control, according to law, the expenditure of all appropriations and upon the directors request the department of administration is hereby authorized to make all contracts necessary for that purpose.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-38 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-38
§ 24-12-38. Covenant against competition.
Status: in_force

The state covenants and agrees with the holders of any bonds or obligations of the authority that the state will not authorize or permit the construction, operation, and maintenance of any additional facility for the transportation of passenger vehicles by any person or body other than the authority within a distance of ten (10) miles in either direction from any project financed by the authority under the provisions of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-4-5 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-4 / Section 24-4-5
§ 24-4-5. Federal aid highway matching account.
Status: in_force

(a) The general treasurer shall maintain as hereinafter provided, a special account to be known as the federal aid highway matching account, which shall be a part of the state highway construction funds.

(b) Into the account shall be entered all money paid by any city or town on any project initiated and approved as herein provided for the purpose of matching federal grants and any state contribution to the projects.

(c) From the account shall be paid all debts, claims, and other obligations legally incurred in the performance of the projects, and all the payments shall be authorized by vouchers approved and signed by the director of transportation or his or her authorized agent.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-22 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-8 / Section 24-8-22
§ 24-8-22. Examination and repair or construction of bridges.
Status: in_force

The director of transportation shall make an examination of all state bridges, and shall determine which of the bridges shall be constructed, repaired or reconstructed, and contracts shall be placed in the manner prescribed by § 24-8-12 for the construction, reparation or reconstruction of the bridges; and the expense of the construction, reparation or reconstruction shall be paid by the state from funds available for this purpose.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-16-2 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-16 / Section 24-16-2
§ 24-16-2. Complete street design.
Status: in_force

(a) When the state of Rhode Island constructs or modifies roads and highways, the relevant department must consider complete street design features that facilitate safe travel by all users that expands upon currently accepted state and federal design requirements to accommodate all users, including current and projected users, particularly pedestrians, bicyclists and individuals of all ages and mobility capabilities. These features of complete street design shall include, but not be limited to, sidewalks, paved shoulders suitable for use by bicyclists, lane striping, bicycle lanes, share the road signage, road diets, roundabouts, crosswalks, pedestrian control signalization, bus pull outs, curb cuts, raised crosswalks and ramps and traffic calming measures.

(b) Exceptions to subsection (a) of this section shall be permissible only after the agency with jurisdiction over the project, fully demonstrates with supporting documentation which shall be available to the public, that one of the following exists:

(1) Use by bicyclists and pedestrians is prohibited by law, such as within interstate highway corridors; or

(2) The cost would be disproportionate to the need as determined by factors including, but not limited to, the following: (i) Land use context; (ii) Current and projected traffic volumes including non-motorized traffic; and (iii) population density; or

(3) Demonstrated lack of need as determined by factors, including, but not limited to: (i) Land use; (ii) Current and projected traffic volumes including non-motorized traffic; and (iii) population density.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-4-1 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-4 / Section 24-4-1
§ 24-4-1. Proposal to construct or reconstruct highway as federal aid project.
Status: in_force

Any city or town, by resolution of its city or town council, may propose the construction or reconstruction of an appropriate street or highway within its municipal boundaries as a project eligible for participation in the benefits conferred by the Federal Aid Highway Act, 23 U.S.C. § 101 et seq., approved August 27, 1958, and all acts supplemental thereto and in amendment thereof, and may make appropriations therefor.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-49 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-49
§ 24-12-49. Declaration of policy  Preventing economic harm to the town of Jamestown.
Status: in_force

It is hereby declared to be the policy of the state to prevent the economic harm to the town of Jamestown which will occur upon the opening of the Newport Bridge to traffic through loss of employment opportunities on the Jamestown and Newport ferries and the resultant dislocation of the residence of the Jamestown and Newport ferries employees, therefore:

(1) The authority shall, in the operation and maintenance of the Newport Bridge, engage employees of the department of transportation who were employed in connection with the operation of the ferries from Jamestown to Newport and whose employment is terminated voluntarily or involuntarily by reason of the opening of the Newport Bridge to traffic, before it shall engage any other employees.

(2) The several departments of the state government including the personnel department are hereby charged with the responsibility of providing employment opportunities within the state classified service and within reasonable commuting distance of their residences, for employees of the department of transportation who were employed in connection with the operation of ferries from Jamestown to Newport and whose employment has been terminated by reason of the opening of the Newport Bridge to traffic.

(3) During the period of the operation of the Newport Bridge as contemplated in this chapter, preference shall continue to be given to employees of the department of transportation employed in connection with the operation of the ferry from Jamestown to Newport and whose employment has been terminated by reason of the opening of the Newport Bridge to traffic in filling vacancies which may occur from time to time.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-7-3 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-7 / Section 24-7-3
§ 24-7-3. Division of costs between town and landowners.
Status: in_force

Whenever any sidewalk in and upon any street or highway shall be ordered made and laid as provided in § 24-7-2, the owners of the land abutting on the sidewalk shall pay one-half (Â½) the costs thereof to be set against their respective lands, and the town shall pay the balance of the costs thereof.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-1-15 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-1 / Section 24-1-15
§ 24-1-15. Exchange of property.
Status: in_force

Whenever in the opinion of the city or town council a substantial saving in the cost of acquiring title can be effected by conveying other real property, title to which is in the city or town, to the person or persons from whom the estate or interest in real property is being purchased or taken, or by the construction or improvement by the city or town of any work or facility upon the remaining real property of the person or persons from whom the estate or interest in real property is being purchased or taken, the city or town council shall be and hereby is authorized to convey such other real property of the city or town to the person or persons from whom the estate or interest in real property is being purchased or taken and to construct or improve any work or facility upon the remaining land of the person or persons.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-54 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-54
§ 24-12-54. Alfred U. Menard Memorial Bridge.
Status: in_force

The route 99 Sayles Hill Road overpass in the town of Lincoln shall be named and known as the Alfred U. Menard Memorial Bridge.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-1-9 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-1 / Section 24-1-9
§ 24-1-9. Conduct of trial on damages.
Status: in_force

After the service of a notice of condemnation the court may proceed to a trial. The trial shall be conducted as other civil actions at law are tried. The trial shall determine all questions of fact relating to the value of the real property, and any estate or interest therein, and the amount thereof, and the appurtenant damage to any remainder and the amount thereof, and the trial and decision or verdict of the jury shall be subject to all rights to except to rulings, to move for new trial, and to appeal, as are provided by law. Upon the entry of judgment in the proceedings, execution shall be issued against the money deposited in court and in default thereof against any other property of the city or town.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-34 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-8 / Section 24-8-34
§ 24-8-34. Regulation of access.
Status: in_force

(a) The legislature recognizes the need for the director of the department of transportation to establish and maintain the safe condition and integrity of state roads. Accordingly, the director is authorized to regulate direct vehicle access to state roads in situations whereby access may reasonably tend to affect the safe condition and integrity of state roads. This includes the authority to regulate the type, location, and width of roadways and driveways at their intersection with state highways and the authority to regulate construction within state highway right-of-ways.

(b) Requests for access must be made in writing to the director, the local planning board and the chief elected or appointed official in a city or town at the same time and in a manner prescribed by the director. The director shall promulgate rules and regulations which prescribe the conditions under which requests will be granted. These rules and regulations shall apply prospectively and shall be based on accepted engineering and construction standards.

(c) The director may provide written notice and comments on the proposed access or alterations to the planning board and the chief elected or appointed official of the city or town in which the state highway is located for all commercial and residential physical alteration permit applications filed with the department and shall afford the planning board and the chief elected or appointed official of the city or town with the ability to provide written comments on the request.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-18 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-8 / Section 24-8-18
§ 24-8-18. Use of sums appropriated  Annual report.
Status: in_force

The sums paid to the state, cities, or towns under the provisions of this chapter shall be used exclusively within the state, and within the cities and towns for those roads listed under § 24-8-17. The sums shall only be spent for maintenance and repair. Except up to twenty-five percent (25%) of each city or towns allotment is eligible for expenditure on any highway pavement management need. Each and every year after the initial year of this program, in order to obtain payment under this title, the state and each city or town must first receive approval for the expenditures by the director of transportation. The city or town treasurer, or state budget officer shall on or before May 30th of each year, certify in writing to the director of transportation how the sums have been expended.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-39 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-39
§ 24-12-39. Transfer of projects to state  Dissolution of authority.
Status: in_force

When all bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter and the interest thereon shall have been paid or a sufficient amount for the payment of all the bonds and the interest thereon to the maturity thereof shall have been set aside in trust for the benefit of the bondholders, all projects financed under the provisions of this chapter may be transferred to the state in good condition and repair, and thereupon the authority shall be dissolved and all funds of the authority not required for the payment of bonds shall be paid to the general treasurer for the use of the state and all machinery, equipment and other property belonging to the authority shall be vested in the state and delivered to the department of transportation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-10 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-8 / Section 24-8-10
§ 24-8-10. Improvement or reconstruction of railroad crossings.
Status: in_force

The director of transportation shall have the power and authority to improve with automatic protection devices or by relocating or rebuilding existing highway-railroad crossings at grade, or by reconstructing existing railroad and highway separation structures, if the improvements, rebuilding, or reconstruction will increase the safety of the crossings and highway, or may eliminate the crossings at grade by the adjustment of track and highway levels and by the construction of separation structures and connecting roadways suitably located to serve all affected properties, and by closing the highways at existing crossings so served, subject to approval of the railroad authorities and the public utilities and carriers administration as provided in chapters 1  9 of title 39. For railroad-highway crossings not on the state highway system, the improvements, construction, reconstruction, or closing shall also be subject to the approval of the town or city in which the work is to be performed.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-16-1 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-16 / Section 24-16-1
§ 24-16-1. Legislative findings.
Status: in_force

It is hereby found and declared as follows:

(1) To achieve a cleaner, greener transportation system the transportation plans of Rhode Island should consider the needs of all users of our roadways including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation riders, motorists and citizens of all ages and abilities, including children, the elderly and the disabled. By encouraging good planning, more citizens will achieve the health benefits associated with active forms of transportation while traffic congestion and automobile related air pollution will be reduced. Therefore, it shall be the policy of the state to consider people of all ages and abilities and all appropriate forms of transportation when planning roadway projects.

(2) For all state and local transportation projects that are eligible for both federal and state funding and are subject to department of transportation oversight, Rhode Island must provide for the consideration of safe travel by all users of the road network, including motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transportation users, regardless of age or ability, through the use of complete street design features for safe travel in the planning, design, and construction of new or reconstructed facilities, but not including, resurfacing, or other maintenance  level projects.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-1.7 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-8 / Section 24-8-1.7
§ 24-8-1.7. Rules and regulations.
Status: in_force

The director of transportation is hereby authorized to adopt and enforce such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter and § 43-3-17, to establish and adopt a pavement management program, and to enforce the provisions thereof.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-5-20 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-5 / Section 24-5-20
§ 24-5-20. Bridges on boundary lines.
Status: in_force

All public bridges, except such as are part of the state highway system, on the dividing lines between towns shall be established and kept in repair at the expense of the towns adjoining the bridges; and every public bridge except such as are part of the state highway system on the dividing line between this state and the adjoining states shall be established and kept in repair, on the part of this state, at the expense of the town adjoining the bridge.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-14-11 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-14 / Section 24-14-11
§ 24-14-11. Agreements with the United States authorized.
Status: in_force

The director of transportation is hereby authorized to enter into agreements with the United States secretary of commerce as provided by title 23, United States Code, relating to the control of junkyards in areas adjacent to the interstate and primary systems, and to take action in the name of the state to comply with the terms of the agreement.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-5-2 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-5 / Section 24-5-2
§ 24-5-2. Division of towns into districts  Election and terms of surveyors.
Status: in_force

The town council of each town shall divide the town into highway districts not exceeding four (4) in number, or shall constitute the entire town one highway district, and shall annually elect one surveyor of highways for each highway district, and fix his or her compensation; provided, however, that in the town of South Kingstown the powers and duties of surveyors of highways shall vest in the town council and the town shall not be required to elect surveyors of highways, and provided further that in the town of Smithfield there shall be one highway district which shall constitute the entire town, and one highway commissioner who shall be elected and be compensated and hold office as provided in Public Laws 1930, chapter 1675; the highway commissioner to perform the duties of highway surveyor in the town and have all the power and authority and be subject to all the duties now pertaining to the office of highway surveyors elected by the town councils under the laws of the state. Surveyors of highways so elected shall hold their offices until the next annual financial town meeting of the town and thereafter until their successors are elected. Vacancies occurring from any cause may be filled by the town council, and the town council may remove from office any surveyor of highways elected by them at their pleasure.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-18-2 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-18 / Section 24-18-2
§ 24-18-2. Legislative findings.
Status: in_force

The general assembly finds and declares that:

(1) Transportation plays a critical role in enabling economic activity in the state of Rhode Island;

(2) Cities and towns can lower the costs of borrowing for road and bridge projects through cooperation with the Rhode Island infrastructure bank;

(3) The Clean Water and Drinking Water Fund programs administered by the Rhode Island infrastructure bank benefit from the highest bond rating of any public entity in the state of Rhode Island; and

(4) Greater coordination among cities and towns will enable more efficient allocation of infrastructure resources by the state of Rhode Island.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-10-3 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-10 / Section 24-10-3
§ 24-10-3. Extinguishment of easements  Regulation of access.
Status: in_force

Where an existing highway has been designated as or included within a freeway by the director, existing easements of access, light or air may be extinguished by purchase or by taking under eminent domain, in accordance with any existing method now exercised by the director in purchasing or taking land for highway purposes. Access to the freeway from any existing highway, road or street may be regulated and restricted by the director. Access to the freeway from any new highway, road or street shall be subject to the consent and approval of the director.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-40G — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-40G
§ 24-12-40G. Title to Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge vested in Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority.
Status: in_force

All powers, control, and jurisdiction of and title to the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge is authorized to be transferred to the Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-2 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-2
§ 24-12-2. Authority created  Composition.
Status: in_force

There is hereby created a body corporate and politic to be known as the Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority. The authority shall consist of five (5) members, including the director of transportation, who shall be a member ex officio, and four (4) members appointed by the governor.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-2-1 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-2 / Section 24-2-1
§ 24-2-1. Creation of public highways by use.
Status: in_force

All lands which have been or shall be quietly, peaceably, and actually used and improved and considered as public highways for the space of twenty (20) years, and which shall be declared by the town council of the town wherein they lie to be public highways, shall be taken and considered as public highways to all intents and purposes as fully and effectually as if the lands had been regularly laid out, recorded and opened by the town council of the town where the lands may lie.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-51 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-51
§ 24-12-51. The Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge.
Status: in_force

Any bridge constructed in replacement of the Jamestown Bridge, as defined in § 24-12-1(7), shall be named and known as the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-14-2 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-14 / Section 24-14-2
§ 24-14-2. Declaration of policy.
Status: in_force

For the purpose of promoting the public safety, health, welfare, convenience, and enjoyment of public travel, to protect the public investment in public highways, and to preserve and enhance the scenic beauty of lands bordering public highways, it is hereby declared to be in the public interest to regulate and restrict the establishment, operation, and maintenance of junkyards in areas adjacent to the interstate and primary highways systems within this state. The general assembly hereby finds and declares that junkyards which do not conform to the requirements of this chapter are public nuisances.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-5-13 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-5 / Section 24-5-13
§ 24-5-13. Liability of cities and towns for injuries from defective roads.
Status: in_force

(a) The cities and towns shall also be liable to all persons who may in any way suffer injury to their persons or property by reason of any neglect, to be recovered in a civil action except as provided in subsection (b).

(b) If any person shall incur damage to his or her motor vehicle by reason of a pothole on any municipal highway, causeway, street or bridge which damage would not have occurred without the existence of the pothole, he or she may recover from the municipality the amount of damages sustained up to and not more than the sum of three hundred dollars ($300). Provided, however, that the municipality had reasonable notice of the pothole, or may have had notice thereof by the exercise of proper care and diligence on its part, and a reasonable opportunity to repair the pothole. All claims shall be made within a period of seven (7) days from the date on which the damage was sustained by filing a written report in a manner prescribed by the municipality. In no instance, however, shall any claim for damage so caused to a motor vehicle registered in a foreign state be considered unless that state has a similar statute affording similar protection to persons owning motor vehicles registered in this state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-1.5 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-8 / Section 24-8-1.5
§ 24-8-1.5. Turnback implementation plan.
Status: in_force

The director of transportation shall prepare and carry out a plan regarding an implementation schedule for all roads changing jurisdiction as a result of this section. Any road that changes jurisdiction and becomes a municipal road, under the enactment of this section, that such shall be repaired and improved, as may be deemed necessary, by the department of transportation to a safe and usable condition before the road is returned to the jurisdiction of the municipality; provided, however that no road shall be returned to the jurisdiction of a municipality without its consent if the jurisdiction does not have a full-time highway department; and provided further that in the town of Portsmouth to preserve the coastal right-of-way for highway purposes, Park Avenue, Point Road, and Hummock Avenue including the Cove Bridge shall not be returned to the jurisdiction of the town of Portsmouth and shall remain the responsibility of the state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-3-29 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-3 / Section 24-3-29
§ 24-3-29. Judgment on appeal.
Status: in_force

If the person appealing from any appraisal of damages made by the town council shall fail to have the damages increased on the appeal, the person shall pay the costs, and shall have judgment for the amount of damages awarded him or her, but if the damages are increased on the appeal, then the person shall have judgment for the damages and costs awarded to him or her, and execution may issue therefor; and every person appealing from any assessment of taxes for curbstones who shall fail to have the taxes reduced on appeal shall be adjudged to pay the costs of suit, and the collector of taxes may proceed to collect the taxes as if the appeal had not been taken, but if the appellant shall succeed in having the tax reduced, the appellant shall recover the costs, and the collector of taxes shall collect from the appellant only so much of the tax as shall have been found on appeal to be due from the appellant.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-59 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-59
§ 24-12-59. Bondholders rights not to be affected by the state.
Status: in_force

The state does pledge to and agree with the holders of any bonds or notes issued under this chapter that the state will not limit or alter the rights vested in the authority to fulfill the terms of any agreements made with the holders until those bonds or notes, together with their interest, with interest on any unpaid installments of interest, and all costs and expenses in connection with any action or proceeding by or on behalf of those holders, are fully met and discharged. The authority is authorized to include this pledge and agreement of the state in any agreement with the holders of those bonds or notes.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-32 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-8 / Section 24-8-32
§ 24-8-32. Drainage of surface water.
Status: in_force

Whenever any culvert, drain, or watercourse has been placed and maintained or has existed under or within a state highway for the purpose of disposing of surface water drainage, it shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to obstruct, block, or close any intake or outlet from the culvert, drain, or watercourse without first obtaining permission from the state department of transportation, which may grant the permits under the terms and conditions as are warranted.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-3-18 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-3 / Section 24-3-18
§ 24-3-18. Commissioners to define grade.
Status: in_force

Whenever in any town any person or persons owning land abutting on any platted street or way, which is not a public highway, the plat of which is recorded in the office of the clerk of the town in which the land is situated, shall petition the town council of the town to cause the grade of any street or way to be defined, the town council shall appoint three (3) discreet and disinterested persons, residents and taxpayers of the town, as commissioners to define the grade of the street or way; which commissioners, before entering upon the duties of their office, shall be engaged to the faithful discharge of the trust.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-14-6 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-14 / Section 24-14-6
§ 24-14-6. Requirement as to screening.
Status: in_force

The director of transportation shall have the authority to promulgate rules and regulations governing the location, planting, construction, and maintenance, including the materials used in screening or fencing required by this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-14-9 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-14 / Section 24-14-9
§ 24-14-9. Penalties.
Status: in_force

(a) It shall be a misdemeanor to operate or maintain a junkyard in violation of this chapter except those junkyards lawfully in existence on May 6, 1966.

(b) It shall be the duty of the state police and the police of the cities and towns to enforce this chapter, and any persons, firm, corporation or association violating this section shall, upon conviction of the first offense, be punished by a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100), or by imprisonment for not less than ten (10) days nor more than thirty (30) days, or both the fine and imprisonment, and shall for a second or subsequent conviction be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500), or by imprisonment for not less than thirty (30) days nor more than six (6) months, or by both the fine and imprisonment; provided, however, that any automobile junkyard violating this section and chapter 21 of title 5, shall be prosecuted in accordance with chapter 21 of title 5, and upon conviction be subject to the penalties provided in that chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-3-17 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-3 / Section 24-3-17
§ 24-3-17. Cities and towns affected.
Status: in_force

Sections 24-3-3  24-3-16 shall apply only to the cities of Newport, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, Central Falls, Cranston, Warwick, and the towns of Lincoln, Johnston, Warren, Bristol, Middletown, East Greenwich, East Providence, New Shoreham, Little Compton, West Warwick, Cumberland, Barrington, Jamestown, North Providence, Westerly, South Kingstown, Narragansett, and Glocester.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-3-6 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-3 / Section 24-3-6
§ 24-3-6. Filing and notice of report.
Status: in_force

The town council or city council shall, within fourteen (14) days after the making of a report, cause personal notice to be served upon all persons named in the report, residing in the state, and shall also cause a copy of the notice to be published, as provided in § 24-3-7, to the effect that the report has been filed in the clerks office, and that any person aggrieved by the report must file, with the clerk of the superior court for the county where the town or city is situated, a notice in writing of his or her intention to claim a jury trial as provided in § 24-3-8; and he or she shall also cause a copy of the report to be filed with the clerk of the superior court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-45 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-45
§ 24-12-45. Liberal construction.
Status: in_force

This chapter, being necessary for the welfare of the state and its inhabitants, shall be liberally construed to effect the purposes thereof.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-3-21 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-3 / Section 24-3-21
§ 24-3-21. Effect of definition of grade.
Status: in_force

Whenever any street or way shall be received and established as a public highway, the defined grade shall be the established grade of the street or highway; but no action relating to the grade of any street or highway shall be so construed as to be a receiving or establishing of any street or way as a public highway.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-22 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-22
§ 24-12-22. Purchase of Jamestown-Newport ferry franchise.
Status: in_force

In the event revenue bonds shall be issued in an amount estimated to be sufficient with any other available funds to pay the cost of constructing the Newport Bridge and opening the bridge for traffic, there shall be deposited with a bank or banks in the city of Newport or in the city of Providence for the credit of a special account in the name of the town of Jamestown, the sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) as the cost of the ferry franchise, and the money so deposited shall be held by the bank or banks in the name of the town of Jamestown for the benefit of the town until such time as the Newport Bridge shall be open for traffic. Upon the opening, the ferry franchise shall be transferred to the authority, and thereafter in consideration of the transfer of the ferry franchise, the money so deposited shall be applied, to the extent necessary, to the retirement of the outstanding bonded indebtedness of the town of Jamestown incurred on account of ferry operations conducted by the Jamestown and Newport ferry company and any balance of the amount so deposited shall be paid to the treasurer of the town of Jamestown.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-14-3 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-14 / Section 24-14-3
§ 24-14-3. Definitions.
Status: in_force

(a) Automobile junkyard means any establishment or place where one or more unserviceable, discarded, worn out or junked automobiles or bodies, engines, tires, parts or accessories are gathered together.

(b) Interstate system means that portion of the national system of interstate and defense highways located within this state, as officially designated, or as may hereafter be so designated, by the director of transportation, and approved by the secretary of commerce, pursuant to the provisions of title 23, United States Code, Highways.

(c) Junk means old or scrap copper, brass, rope, rags, batteries, paper, trash, rubber debris, waste, or junked, dismantled, or wrecked automobiles, or parts thereof, iron, steel, and other old or scrap ferrous or nonferrous material.

(d) Junkyard means an establishment or place of business which is maintained, operated, or used for storing, keeping, buying, or selling junk, or for the maintenance or operation of an automobile junkyard and the term shall include garbage dumps and sanitary fills.

(e) Primary system means that portion of connected main highways, as officially designated, or as may hereafter be so designated, by the director of transportation, and approved by the secretary of commerce, pursuant to the provisions of title 23, United States Code, Highways.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-5-18 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-5 / Section 24-5-18
§ 24-5-18. Bridges and fences on artificial watercourses along preexisting highways.
Status: in_force

Whenever any artificial watercourse has been or shall be made under, through or by the side of any highway previously existing, the proprietors or occupants of the watercourse shall make and maintain all necessary bridges over the watercourse and all fences which may be necessary along the side of the watercourse.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-5-34 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-5 / Section 24-5-34
§ 24-5-34. Jamestown and New Shoreham exempt.
Status: in_force

The provisions of §§ 24-5-28  24-5-33 shall not apply to the towns of Jamestown and New Shoreham.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-7-1 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-7 / Section 24-7-1
§ 24-7-1. Power of towns to establish and regulate sidewalks.
Status: in_force

(a) The town council of any town shall have the power to order sidewalks, including curbing of stone or other material, made and laid in and upon the streets and highways of the town, and may make ordinances and regulations relative to the altering or repairing thereof, to the use, maintenance, care, and cleaning of the sidewalks, to removing ice and snow therefrom, to the removal of posts, steps, and other obstructions therein, and to the maintenance and removal of awnings, signs, and other structures projecting over the sidewalks; provided, that the ordinances and regulations shall not be contrary to the laws of this state.

(b) The construction of sidewalks and curbs to be owned by all cities and towns and the maintenance of all sidewalks and curbs owned by all cities and towns, shall be in compliance with all state regulations promulgated by the director of transportation pursuant to subsection 42-13-1(b).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-17 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-8 / Section 24-8-17
§ 24-8-17. Determination and payment of appropriations to the state, cities, and towns.
Status: in_force

The amounts which the state, cities, and towns shall receive from the appropriations provided for in this chapter, shall annually be determined by the state controller upon filing by the director of transportation of a report setting forth the number of miles of roads within the state and within each city and town which are functionally classified as: principal arterials, minor arterials, major collectors, minor collectors, and urban collectors, and within each city and town of the total number of motor vehicle registrations. The state controller is hereby authorized and directed, upon receipt by him or her of the report as provided in this section, to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer in favor of the respective state budget officer for the payment of such sums, as may from time to time be required, or become due to the respective state, city, or town under the provisions of this chapter. Nothing in this section shall affect the federal aid transportation program.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-1-1 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-1 / Section 24-1-1
§ 24-1-1. Authorization of condemnation.
Status: in_force

Whenever the city council of any city or the town council of any town shall determine that the public interest and convenience makes necessary or advantageous the acquisition of land or other real property, or any interest, estate, or right therein for the establishing, laying out, widening, extending or relocating, regrading, straightening, or improving any public highway, street, parkway, or driftway, or to secure more suitable lines, grades or safety, it may proceed to acquire the same by the exercise of eminent domain in the manner prescribed in this chapter, provided that no real property or interest, estate, or right therein belonging to the state shall be acquired without its consent and no real property or interest, estate, or right therein belonging to or used by a public utility shall be acquired without the consent of the division of public utilities and carriers.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-21 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-21
§ 24-12-21. Retirement of outstanding bridge revenue refunding bonds of Jamestown Bridge commission.
Status: in_force

Within three (3) months prior to the estimated date of opening for traffic of the Newport Bridge, but not earlier than December 31, 1965, and in case provision shall not theretofore have been made for the redemption of the outstanding bridge revenue refunding bonds of the Jamestown Bridge commission through the operation of the sinking fund for the bonds, the authority may issue its revenue bonds in an amount sufficient, with other funds available for such purposes, to provide for the redemption of all of the outstanding bonds on their earliest redemption date, including the principal amount of the bonds, the premium required to be paid upon the principal amount on the redemption date and the interest to accrue on the principal amount to the redemption date, and upon there being deposited with the trustee under the trust indenture securing the outstanding bridge revenue refunding bonds an amount sufficient, with other funds available for the purpose, to provide for the redemption, all other money then held by the trustee under the trust indenture shall be transferred to the appropriate funds created under the provisions of the resolution of trust agreement securing the revenue bonds of the authority.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-15-9 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-15 / Section 24-15-9
§ 24-15-9. Rules and standards.
Status: in_force

The board shall promulgate rules and establish standards for the maintenance, identification, construction, use, and preservation of the scenic highways system. The board may establish rules and standards for regulating and limiting the construction or establishment of a highway which is inconsistent with the purpose of this chapter. No rule or regulation may be adopted or promulgated which affects any provision of the general laws of the state or any federal statutory provision without the prior approval of the general assembly.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-15-6 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-15 / Section 24-15-6
§ 24-15-6. Local authority.
Status: in_force

The director and the municipalities and all other authorities shall have the same authority over scenic highways as they possess over other highways under their jurisdiction except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-14-7 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-14 / Section 24-14-7
§ 24-14-7. Authority to acquire interest in land for removal and screening of junkyards.
Status: in_force

When the director of transportation determines that the topography of the land adjoining the highway will not permit adequate screening of the junkyards or the screening of the junkyards would not be economically feasible, the director of transportation shall have the authority to acquire by gift, purchase, or condemnation, such interests in lands as may be necessary to secure the relocation, removal, or disposal of the junkyards; and to pay for the costs of relocation, removal, or disposal, thereof. When the director of transportation determines that it is in the best interest of the state, the director may acquire such lands, or interests in lands, as may be necessary to provide adequate screening of the junkyards by gift, purchase or condemnation. The acquisition of lands or interests in lands under this section shall be made in accordance with the provisions of chapter 6 of title 37.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-1-13 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-1 / Section 24-1-13
§ 24-1-13. Unknown owners.
Status: in_force

If any real property or any estate or interest therein is unclaimed or held by a person or persons whose whereabouts are unknown, after making inquiry satisfactory to the superior court for the county in which the real property lies, the city or town council, after the expiration of two (2) years from the first publication of the copy of the resolution and description and plat, may petition the court that the value of the estate or interest of the unknown person or persons be determined. After such notice by publication to the person or persons as the court in its discretion may order, and after a hearing on the petition, the court shall fix the value of the estate or interest and shall order a sum to be deposited in the registry of the court in a special account to accumulate for the benefit of the person or persons, if any, entitled thereto. The receipt of the clerk of the superior court therefor shall constitute a discharge of the city or town from all liability in connection with the taking. When the person entitled to the money deposited shall have satisfied the superior court of his or her right to receive the same, the court shall cause it to be paid over to the person, with all accumulations thereon.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-15-2 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-15 / Section 24-15-2
§ 24-15-2. Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter:

(1) Board means the scenic roadways board.

(2) Director means the director of the department of transportation.

(3) Municipality means a city or town.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-35 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-8 / Section 24-8-35
§ 24-8-35. Damage caused by potholes  Claims against the state.
Status: in_force

If any person shall incur damage to his or her motor vehicle by reason of a pothole on any state highway, causeway, or bridge which damage would not have occurred without the existence of the pothole, he or she may recover from the state the amount of damages sustained up to and not more than the sum of three hundred dollars ($300). All claims shall be made within a period of seven (7) days from the date on which the damage was sustained by filing a written report in a manner prescribed by the director of the department of transportation who shall in all instances make the final determination as to the merits of any claim so submitted. All claims approved by the director shall be paid in full within forty-five (45) days of the final approval. In no instance, however, shall any claim for damage so caused to a motor vehicle registered in a foreign state be considered unless that state has a similar statute affording similar protection to persons owning motor vehicles registered in this state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-15-10.1 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-15 / Section 24-15-10.1
§ 24-15-10.1. Chair, quorum, and removal for cause.
Status: in_force

(a) Upon the passage of this act and the appointment and qualification of the four (4) new members prescribed in § 24-15-10, the board shall meet at the call of the director of transportation and shall elect from among the members a chair and a vice-chair. Thereafter, the board shall annually elect in February a chair and a vice-chair from among the members. The board may elect from among its members such other officers as it deems necessary.

(b) Five (5) members of the board shall constitute a quorum, and a majority vote of those present and voting shall be required for action.

(c) Members of the board shall be removable by the governor pursuant to § 36-1-7 and for cause only, and removal solely for partisan or personal reasons unrelated to capacity or fitness for the office shall be unlawful.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-58 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-58
§ 24-12-58. Robert E. Rowan, P.E. Bridge.
Status: in_force

The Crawford Street Bridge shall hereafter be named and known as the Robert E. Rowan, P.E. Bridge.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-30 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-8 / Section 24-8-30
§ 24-8-30. Red Bridge exempt.
Status: in_force

Red Bridge, lying between Providence and East Providence, is excluded from the provisions of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-6 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-6
§ 24-12-6. Grants or leases of state or municipal lands.
Status: in_force

All towns, cities, and other political subdivisions and all public agencies and commissions of the state, notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, are hereby authorized and empowered to lease, lend, grant, or convey to the authority at its request, upon such terms and conditions as the proper authorities of the towns, cities, other political subdivisions or public agencies and commissions may deem reasonable and fair and without the necessity for any advertisement, order of court, or other action or formality, other than the regular and formal action of the authorities concerned, any real property which may be necessary or convenient to the effectuation of the authorized purposes of the authority, including public roads and other real property already devoted to public use, and subject to the above provisions, the state hereby consents to the use of all lands owned by it, including lands lying under water, which are deemed by the authority to be necessary for the construction or operation of any project.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-3-23 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-3 / Section 24-3-23
§ 24-3-23. Grading or change of grade  Notice and hearing.
Status: in_force

Town councils may order highways or parts of highways to be graded within their respective towns, and whenever a grade for any highway shall be established the grade shall not be changed without the consent of the town council of the town in which it is located, nor without notice to the proprietors of lands abutting on the highway, which notice, if the proprietor resides within this state, shall be served five (5) days before the passing of an order for the grade or change of grade, and if any of the proprietors reside without the state, notice shall be served upon them as provided by § 24-1-6. At the time and place named in the notice, the town council shall proceed to hear the parties, and to pass an order in reference to the grade, or change of grade, as they may think proper.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-23 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-8 / Section 24-8-23
§ 24-8-23. Cost of construction or repair of bridges used by public utilities.
Status: in_force

(a) Upon the completion of the construction, reparation or reconstruction of any of the bridges, used by any public utility, the director of transportation shall file a full and detailed statement setting forth the amount expended in the construction, reparation or reconstruction of each bridge used by any public utility, with the public utility administrator, and a copy of the statement shall be filed in the treasurers office of the public utility. The public utility administrator, shall immediately set a time for hearing and shall, after notice of the hearing to the public utility and to the department of transportation, determine what amount, if any, of the expense of the construction, reparation or reconstruction of the bridge or bridges shall be paid by the public utility upon the basis and in the manner provided in § 39-2-6.

(b) If any payment, determined to be due from any public utility shall not be paid to the state within one year from the date of the determination by the public utility administrator of the amount due from any public utility, the state shall be entitled to recover the amount due in an action of debt, together with interest from six (6) months from the date of the determination by the public utility administrator, at the rate of ten percent (10%) per annum, and upon securing judgment against any public utility, execution shall issue against the property of the public utility.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-26 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-8 / Section 24-8-26
§ 24-8-26. Removal of snow and ice from bridges  Notice of defects.
Status: in_force

(a) Every town or city in which any bridge is located, which shall be maintained by the state under the provisions of this chapter, shall at its own expense keep the bridge within its limits sufficiently clear of snow and ice so that the bridge shall be reasonably safe for traveling, and shall at once notify in writing the director of transportation or the directors employees of any defect or want of repair in the bridge. The director of transportation shall upon the receipt of the information notify any public utility using the bridge of the defect or want of repair.

(b) All storage piles or areas where road de-icing agents are stored within the Scituate watershed shall be adequately covered and stored on an impervious base to mitigate runoff impacts to ground and surface waters. The director of the department of transportation shall ensure where funds allow, that all drivers, loaders, and handlers of de-icing agents within any watershed participate in training sessions in the proper application and control of road de-icing agents; that de-icing vehicles, wherever feasible, operating within the Scituate watershed area equipped with sensor devices to control the spread rate of de-icing materials in relation to the speed of the vehicle.

(c) For purposes of this section the Scituate watershed shall mean the total drainage area into the Scituate Reservoir  an area of some 92.8 square miles in the towns of Scituate, Johnston, Foster, Glocester, and Smithfield  which because of its topography, soil type, and drainage patterns acts as a collector of rain waters which replenish or regorge existing public drinking water supplies in the Scituate Reservoir.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-5-21 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-5 / Section 24-5-21
§ 24-5-21. Penalty for neglect of boundary line bridge.
Status: in_force

If any town adjoining any boundary line bridge shall refuse or neglect to keep in good repair the part of the bridge within and next adjoining the line of the town, the town so neglecting or refusing shall be fined not less than twenty dollars ($20.00) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), and execution shall issue for the amount of the fine and costs against the town; but nothing contained in this section shall be so construed as to impair any agreement made between any towns relative to the supporting and repairing of bridges.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-5-17 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-5 / Section 24-5-17
§ 24-5-17. Complaint and alteration of watercourse.
Status: in_force

Any person who may consider himself or herself aggrieved by a watercourse may complain to the town council; and the council on receiving his or her complaint and examining into the circumstances of the complaint, shall, if they think reasonable, direct the surveyor to alter the watercourse in such manner as they shall think proper.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-3-22 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-3 / Section 24-3-22
§ 24-3-22. Compensation and expenses of commissioners  Collection from petitioners.
Status: in_force

The commissioners shall be entitled to a reasonable compensation for their services, and for all sums of money expended for the plat and other necessary disbursements, to be allowed by the town council, whether the report is rejected, confirmed, or recommitted, to be paid by the petitioners, the amount of which shall be equally apportioned and assessed to the petitioners by the assessors of taxes; and unless paid forthwith by the petitioners, shall be added to the taxes assessed against the real estate abutting on the platted street or way belonging to the petitioners and the petitioners owning the property at the next annual assessment of taxes; and shall be and remain a lien upon the real estate until it is paid, and shall be collected at the same time and in the same manner as the other taxes assessed against the petitioners, except in cases where the petitioners are nonresidents of this state or of the United States, in which cases one year in addition shall be allowed for the payment of the assessment.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-14-10 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-14 / Section 24-14-10
§ 24-14-10. Interpretation.
Status: in_force

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to abrogate or affect the provisions of any lawful ordinance, regulation, or resolution, which is more restrictive than the provisions of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-3-8 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-3 / Section 24-3-8
§ 24-3-8. Jury trial on report.
Status: in_force

Every person aggrieved by the report of the commissioners shall, within sixty (60) days after the first publication of the notice of the filing of the report named in § 24-3-6, file with the clerk of the superior court a notice in writing of his or her intention to claim a jury trial; and in case the aggrieved person fails to file such notice, he or she shall not be entitled to a jury trial. Any person filing a notice may have a trial by jury before the superior court, to determine the amount of damage and benefit to him or her to be apportioned, upon issues to be for that purpose framed under the direction of the court; and if the person applying for a jury trial shall fail to obtain an increase of damages, or a diminution of the amount of benefit, assessed by the commissioners, the person shall pay all costs arising after the application for a jury and the court shall enter judgment and issue execution therefor; and in other cases the costs shall be paid by the town or city.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-15-7 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-15 / Section 24-15-7
§ 24-15-7. Funding.
Status: in_force

State aid for scenic highways shall be determined in accordance with the local transportation funding as provided in these general laws.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-9-5 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-9 / Section 24-9-5
§ 24-9-5. Liberal construction  Powers additional.
Status: in_force

The provisions of this chapter shall be liberally construed in order to accomplish the purposes hereof and to permit the director to adequately cope with any emergency which may arise, as provided in this chapter; and the powers herein vested in the director of transportation shall be construed as being in addition to all other powers presently vested in him or her, and not in derogation of any existing powers.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-40A — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-40A
§ 24-12-40A. Title to Mount Hope Bridge vested in Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority  Continuation of tolls.
Status: in_force

All powers, control, and jurisdiction of and title to the Mount Hope Bridge is hereby affirmed as having vested in the Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority as of June 1, 1964, and the transfer of funds to the authority by the trustee under the trust indenture securing the Mount Hope Bridge revenue bonds is hereby ratified and affirmed. The authority shall continue to charge and collect tolls for the use of the Mount Hope Bridge to provide funds sufficient with any other monies available therefor for paying the costs of maintaining, repairing, and operating the bridge, and in any event tolls for the use of the Mount Hope Bridge shall continue until a fund shall be provided for the payment of engineering, financing, and legal services in connection with the financing and construction of the Newport Bridge. The power and right of the authority to collect and to use tolls collected for the use of the Mount Hope Bridge subsequent to June 1, 1964 for the purpose of payment of engineering, financial, and legal services in connection with the financing and construction of the Newport Bridge in an amount heretofore expended not in excess of six hundred thousand dollars ($600,000) is hereby ratified and affirmed.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-1-3 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-1 / Section 24-1-3
§ 24-1-3. Deposit of compensation for property taken.
Status: in_force

Immediately after the taking of property, the city or town council shall cause to be filed in the superior court in and for the county in which the real property lies a statement of the sum of money estimated to be just compensation for the property taken, and shall deposit in the superior court to the use of the persons entitled thereto the sum set forth in the statement. The city or town council shall satisfy the court that the amount so deposited with the court is sufficient to satisfy the just claims of all persons having an estate or interest in the real property. Whenever the city or town council satisfies the court that the claims of all persons interested in the real property taken have been satisfied, the unexpended balance shall be ordered repaid immediately to the city or town.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-5-1 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-5 / Section 24-5-1
§ 24-5-1. Duty of town to maintain highways.
Status: in_force

(a) All highways, causeways, and bridges, except as provided by this chapter, lying and being within the bounds of any town, shall be kept in repair and amended, from time to time, so that the highways, causeways, and bridges may be safe and convenient for travelers with their teams, carts, and carriages at all seasons of the year, at the proper charge and expense of the town, under the care and direction of the town council of the town, provided that the state shall be responsible for the annual cleaning of all sidewalks on all state highways, causeways, and bridges.

(b) In addition, the surfaces of all highways and causeways shall be maintained in such a state of repair as to make them safe for bicycles.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-4-2 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-4 / Section 24-4-2
§ 24-4-2. Contents of resolution.
Status: in_force

(a) The resolution shall specifically describe the location of the proposed highway to be constructed or reconstructed; the total estimated costs of the project, and the type of the project.

(b) The resolution shall further contain notice that necessary funds have been lawfully appropriated by the city or town in an amount equal to its share of the total estimated cost of the proposed project, and that the appropriation is available for the purposes set forth in the resolution.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-41 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-41
§ 24-12-41. Severability.
Status: in_force

The provisions of this chapter are severable, and if any of its provisions shall be held unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, the decision of that court shall not affect or impair any of the remaining provisions.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-5-6 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-5 / Section 24-5-6
§ 24-5-6. Expenditures by contract  Unexpended funds.
Status: in_force

Whenever any town council shall be of the opinion that it is preferable to do so, they may provide for the expenditure by contract of a portion or all of the money allotted to be expended in any one or more highway districts; and if the work so done by contract shall extend into two (2) or more highway districts, they may determine what proportion of the cost thereof shall be paid from the money allotted to each of the highway districts. All money so allotted and not expended by contract shall, when expended, be expended by the surveyor of highways of the district to which it was allotted.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-10-2 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-10 / Section 24-10-2
§ 24-10-2. Jurisdiction over freeways.
Status: in_force

The director of transportation shall have full power and authority to lay out, establish, acquire, open, construct, improve, maintain, discontinue, and regulate the use of freeways within this state in the same manner or manners in which the director may now lay out, establish, acquire, open, construct, improve, maintain, discontinue, and regulate the use of highways within this state. The director shall also have any and all other additional authority and power relative to such freeways as he or she now possesses relative to highways, including the authority and power to acquire or accept title to the lands or rights-of-way needed for freeways.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-5-25 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-5 / Section 24-5-25
§ 24-5-25. Compensation of surveyors.
Status: in_force

Surveyors of highways shall be paid out of the town treasury at the rate of two dollars ($2.00) per day for all the time necessarily spent in the discharge of the duties of their office, whenever no other mode or amount of compensation shall have been provided by any town or town council.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-5-5 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-5 / Section 24-5-5
§ 24-5-5. Allotments to highway districts  Supervision of expenditures  Rates of compensation.
Status: in_force

Town councils shall determine and allot the proportion of the annual appropriation for the maintenance and repair of highways and bridges, which shall be expended within the limits of each highway district in their respective towns, and so much of the appropriation as shall be expended under their care and direction, or under the care and direction of a committee or committees of their own members appointed by them for that purpose. They shall also fix the rate of compensation to be paid for personnel, teams, road making machinery, and materials to be employed or used in their respective towns.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-7-4 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-7 / Section 24-7-4
§ 24-7-4. Collection of costs from landowners.
Status: in_force

Costs of the sidewalk shall be ascertained by the commissioner of highways for the town and shall be submitted by the commissioner to, and be approved by, the town council, and thereafter the commissioner of highways shall demand the costs from the abutting landowner, and if the owner shall neglect and refuse to pay the costs, the commissioner of highways shall certify the costs so ascertained and approved to the assessors of taxes for the town, and the assessors shall include the cost of making and laying the sidewalk in the next assessment of taxes for the town against the land or the owner thereof.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-5-3 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-5 / Section 24-5-3
§ 24-5-3. Annual town appropriation.
Status: in_force

Each town, at some regularly called meeting of the electors thereof who are entitled to vote upon any proposition to impose a tax, shall annually appropriate such sum of money as the electors shall deem necessary for the maintenance and repair of its highways and bridges, and the sum so appropriated shall be included in the sum to be raised by the annual tax levied and assessed by the town for town purposes. In case any town shall fail to make an appropriation, the town council thereof shall make such expenditure upon the highways and bridges of the town as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of § 24-5-1.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-44 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-8 / Section 24-8-44
§ 24-8-44. Gainer Dam bridge and roadway.
Status: in_force

The department of transportation shall have full charge and control of the maintenance of the Gainer Dam bridge and roadway, a section of route 12 crossing the Gainer Dam and Scituate Reservoir, and the bridge and roadway are hereby made part of the state highway system. The department of transportation shall appoint such attendants and other employees as may be required for the care and maintenance of the bridge and roadway, and exercise full authority. All appropriations for the care, maintenance, and repair of the bridge and roadway shall be expended under the direction of the department of transportation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-15-8 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-15 / Section 24-15-8
§ 24-15-8. Scenic highways marking signs  State payment.
Status: in_force

The department of transportation shall pay the cost of furnishing and installing scenic highway marking signs on officially designated scenic highways.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-43 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-8 / Section 24-8-43
§ 24-8-43. Alteration of roadways.
Status: in_force

(a) Any person, firm or corporation including utilities and contractors who or that alter a roadway that is subject to the provisions of this chapter shall restore that portion of the roadway that was altered to the same or better condition that existed prior to alteration or as required in accordance with the state or municipal permit requirements. Repaving and repair of a roadway by a public utility or utility facility shall be in accordance with and subject to the provisions of chapter 2.2 of title 39.

(b) Any alteration of roadways that creates a public safety concern, as determined by the public safety official of the municipality or the state, including the need to move utility poles, shall be corrected by the contractor and/or utility within thirty (30) days of being notified in writing of such public safety concern by the director of the department of transportation.

(c) Restoration of any altered roadway shall commence immediately after the completion of the alteration and shall include, if necessary, temporary or intermediate restoration on an ongoing basis to keep the roadway smooth and bump free until the permanent restoration can be completed.

(d) Where the alteration involves the installation or upgrading of a traffic signal(s), the signal(s) shall not be activated until the alteration has been substantially completed, as determined by the director of the department of transportation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-35 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-12 / Section 24-12-35
§ 24-12-35. Resolutions of authority.
Status: in_force

Any action taken by the authority under the provisions of this chapter may be authorized by resolution at any regular or special meeting, and each resolution shall take effect immediately and need not be published or posted.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-6-5 — RI Code / Title 24 / Chapter 24-6 / Section 24-6-5
§ 24-6-5. Abandonment by non-use.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this chapter, when a public way of any kind in the town of Glocester has ceased to be used by the public and maintained by the town of Glocester for a period of twenty (20) years or more it shall be deemed abandoned and the abutting landowners shall not be entitled to recover damages against the city or town. Upon such abandonment the abutting landowners shall have a private right of access to their land along the abandoned way.