2023 -- H 6372

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LC002933

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- CONSTRUCTION AND STATE MAINTENANCE OF

STATE ROADS

     Introduced By: Representative Joseph J. Solomon

     Date Introduced: May 05, 2023

     Referred To: House State Government & Elections

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 24-8 of the General Laws entitled "Construction and Maintenance of

State Roads" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     24-8-46. Street, highway or bridge closure - notice - public hearing.

     (a) The department of transportation or local governmental unit with jurisdiction over a

street, highway or bridge shall provide written notice, by certified mail, to all residential property

owners and commercial businesses located within five hundred feet (500') of any proposed closure

to vehicular traffic of a street, highway or bridge, at least thirty (30) days prior to commencing any

work on the street, highway or bridge.

     (b) The department of transportation or local governmental unit with jurisdiction over a

street, highway or bridge, shall hold a public hearing pursuant to chapter 46 of title 42, a minimum

of fourteen (14) days prior to any temporary or permanent closing to vehicular traffic of a street,

highway or bridge.

     (c) The provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall not apply to any

emergency closure of a street, highway or bridge. For purposes of this section, "emergency closure"

means the closure of a street, highway or bridge to prevent, limit, mitigate or respond to a serious,

unexpected or dangerous situation requiring immediate action to remedy harm or avert imminent

danger to life, health or property.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- CONSTRUCTION AND STATE MAINTENANCE OF

STATE ROADS

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     This act would require the department of transportation or local governing unit with

jurisdiction over the street, highway or bridge, to notify all residential property owners and

commercial businesses within five hundred feet (500') of any proposed temporary or permanent

closure to vehicular traffic on any street, highway or bridge, at least thirty (30) days prior to

commencing work on the street, highway or bridge. Notice would be required to be sent in writing

by certified mail. This act would further require the department of transportation or local governing

unit with jurisdiction over the street, highway or bridge, to hold a public meeting of the proposed

closure to vehicular traffic at least fourteen (14) days prior to commencing work on the street,

highway or bridge. The notice and hearing provisions would not apply to an emergency closure.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC002933

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