Chapter 228
2018 -- S 2086
Enacted 07/02/2018

A N   A C T
RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Introduced By: Senators Euer, Satchell, Goldin, Felag, and Quezada
Date Introduced: January 18, 2018

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Chapter 42-13 of the General Laws entitled "Department of Transportation"
is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
     42-13-2.1. Duties of the department - Rhode Works project.
     (a) It shall be the responsibility of the department to identify the businesses affected and
the specific impact of Rhode Works rhode works projects on small businesses and to deliver and
communicate this information to the department of commerce. The department shall identify the
traffic flow to Rhode Island small business commercial areas as it relates to road and bridge
closings due to Rhode Works rhode works projects, and the realignment of the Newport Bridge
ramps, identify road and bridge closings, parking restrictions, and alterations in traffic patterns to
accommodate road and bridge repairs, including proposed dates of work, road closures, and re-
routing of any traffic and parking patterns.
     (b) During construction season (April through October), the department shall share the
information collected in subsection (a) of this section with the commerce corporation to allow at
least two (2) months for the commerce corporation to assist small businesses affected by Rhode
Works rhode works projects in the affected communities and neighborhoods as set forth in
subsection
(c) of this section. During emergencies, the department will contact the commerce corporation in
order to coordinate a plan of action in the affected area. The department will meet with the
commerce corporation on a regular basis in order to review upcoming projects and coordinate a
plan of action for the affected businesses.
     (c) The commerce corporation shall provide those affected businesses in the construction
areas with a list of available resources, programs, and/or services that, if utilized, might minimize
the economic and financial impact upon those businesses during road and bridge construction,
including, but not limited to, contact by the commerce corporation to affected businesses and if
desired, meeting with affected businesses during construction.
     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC003362
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