2014 -- H 7760

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LC004882

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING IMMEDIATE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS TO THE

CLAIBORNE PELL BRIDGE IN HONOR OF THE MEMORY OF KATHY MEUNIER,

KENNY PRIOR, AND ELIJAH SWIFT

     Introduced By: Representatives Ruggiero, Craven, Gallison, Abney, and Finn

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2014

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     (by request)

     WHEREAS, The safe travel of all Rhode Island motorists on the state's roads and bridges

is the General Assembly's paramount concern; and

     WHEREAS, Ensuring the safe travel of Rhode Island motorists requires that the state’s

roads and bridges be in the safest condition possible, and that law enforcement officials strictly

enforce laws prohibiting speeding and distracted driving; and

     WHEREAS, Tragically, within the past twenty-seven months, three people have lost their

lives in head-on collisions on the Claiborne Pell Bridge; and

     WHEREAS, In each instance, the presence of an enforced hard median barrier, and strict

enforcement of state speeding and distracted driving laws, may have helped in preventing these

tragic accidents from occurring; and

     WHEREAS, Despite their heartbreak, the families and friends of the victims of these

recent accidents have turned their sorrow into action, forming "Citizens United for Bridge Safety"

an organization committed to improving the safety of the Claiborne Pell Bridge and preventing

accidents like those that befell their loved ones from happening to others; and

     WHEREAS, The installation of median barriers is either planned, or underway, on

bridges across the United States, including the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco,

California; and

     WHEREAS, While the state cannot prevent all accidents, the installation of median

barriers on the Claiborne Pell Bridge, and stricter enforcement of state speeding and distracted

driving law, may be effective in preventing future head-on collisions; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Providence

Plantations hereby respectfully requests the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority install a

solid median barrier on the Claiborne Pell Bridge, of a type that is designed to prevent head-on

collisions without further delay and to complete the installation of the barrier by no later than

March 31, 2015, to protect Rhode Island motorists. The costs of said barrier should be paid for

from the Authority’s own funds; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly hereby respectfully requests the Rhode Island

Turnpike and Bridge Authority and the Rhode Island State Police to work together to rigorously

enforce the 40 miles per hour speed limit established for the bridge, and state traffic laws

prohibiting distracted driving, including the law prohibiting the use of cell phones by drivers

under the age of 18, and the law prohibiting texting while driving, without delay, to protect

Rhode Island motorists; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly hereby respectfully requests that the Rhode

Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, and the

Rhode Island State Police publicize their aforementioned bridge safety provisions as well as their

plans to rigorously enforce the speed limit and traffic laws on the bridge; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly hereby respectfully requests the Rhode Island

Turnpike and Bridge Authority to report back to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation,

the Rhode Island State Police, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of

Representatives on their compliance with this resolution no later than December 31, 2014. Such a

report may include any further recommendations by the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge

Authority to improve safety on the Claiborne Pell Bridge; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Chairman of the Rhode Island Turnpike and

Bridge Authority, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, and the

Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.

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LC004882

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