2019 -- H 5111

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LC000167

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - DEPARTMENT OF

TRANSPORTATION

     Introduced By: Representative Lauren H. Carson

     Date Introduced: January 11, 2019

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 42-13-2.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-13 entitled

"Department of Transportation" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     42-13-2.1. Duties of the department -- Rhode Works project Duties of the

department -- Rhode Works projects.

     (a) It shall be the responsibility of the department to identify the businesses, senior citizen

housing complexes, senior citizens centers and senior centers affected and the specific impact of

rhode works projects on small businesses, senior citizen housing complexes, senior citizens

centers and senior centers 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, senior citizen housing complexes, senior citizens centers and senior centers as

it relates to road and bridge closings due to 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) with the commerce corporation to allow at least two (2)

months for the commerce corporation to assist small businesses, senior citizen housing

complexes, senior citizens centers and senior centers affected by rhode works projects in the

affected communities and neighborhoods as set forth in subsection (c). 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,

senior citizen housing complexes, senior citizens centers and senior centers.

     (c) The commerce corporation shall provide those affected businesses, senior citizen

housing complexes, senior citizens centers and senior centers in the construction areas with a list

of available resources, programs, and services that, if utilized, might minimize the economic and

financial impact upon those businesses, senior citizen housing complexes, senior citizens centers

and senior centers during road and bridge construction, including, but not limited to, contact by

the commerce corporation to affected businesses, senior citizen housing complexes, senior

citizens centers and senior centers and if desired, meeting with affected businesses, senior citizen

housing complexes, senior citizens centers and senior centers during construction.

     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 STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - DEPARTMENT OF

TRANSPORTATION

***

     This act would require the department of transportation and the commerce corporation to

coordinate with senior citizen housing complexes, senior citizens centers and senior centers in

addition to small businesses to minimize the economic and financial impact of road works

projects.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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