Title 42
State Affairs and Government

Chapter 13
Department of Transportation

§ 42-13-9. Monthly snapshot reports to be prepared by the department of transportation.

(a) As used herein:

(1) The term “actions” refers to actions and efforts undertaken on the Washington Bridge, including, but not limited to, repairs, alterations, and replacement of the bridge or any portion thereof.

(2) The term “snapshot report” refers to the Washington Bridge snapshot report required pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.

(3) The term “time period covered by the report” refers to the calendar month immediately preceding the filing of the snapshot report.

(4) The term “Washington Bridge” or “bridge” refers to a series of three structures that traverse the Seekonk River and connect India Point in the city of Providence to Watchemoket Square in the city of East Providence, and which structures carry highways including Interstate 195, U.S. Route 6, U.S. Route 44, and U.S. Route 1A.

(b)(1) The department of transportation (the “department”) shall prepare and provide, on a monthly basis, a report that shall be deemed the “Washington Bridge snapshot report”. The snapshot report shall provide the general assembly with the information set forth in this section in order to enable the general assembly to provide effective oversight as well as assistance to the department in addressing ongoing developments with respect to the Washington Bridge. The obligation of the department to provide the snapshot reports shall expire upon completion of the restoration of the Washington Bridge, as certified by the department.

(2) Within thirty (30) days of the passage of this act, a copy of the snapshot report shall be filed on the first day of each month with:

(i) The speaker of the house;

(ii) The president of the senate;

(iii) The office of the governor;

(iv) The chairpersons of the house finance committee and house oversight committee; and

(v) The chairpersons of the senate finance committee and senate oversight committee.

(3) The snapshot report shall, at a minimum, contain information as described in subsections (c) and (d) of this section.

(c) The snapshot report shall contain the following:

(1) An updated timeline regarding actions to be undertaken on the Washington Bridge, including, but not limited to, repairs, alterations, or replacement of all or any portion of the bridge.

(2) A list of consulting firms retained or utilized by the department in regard to any actions.

(3) Data on traffic patterns over the bridge for the time period covered by the report, including:

(i) Adjustments or anticipated adjustments made to traffic patterns over the bridge, including alternate routes and alternative modes of transportation to circumvent passage across the bridge;

(ii) The number, location, and time of all accidents, including motor vehicle, pedestrian, cyclists, and construction personnel, on the bridge;

(iii) The number, location, and time of all motor vehicle breakdowns on the bridge; and

(iv) Issues with emergency vehicles, including, but not limited to, access to the bridge by emergency vehicles and delays with emergency vehicles crossing the bridge.

(4) Data on traffic delays for the time period covered by the report, including:

(i) Average and maximum traffic delay times during the weekday morning rush hours of seven (7:00) AM to ten (10:00) AM, and the afternoon rush hours of three (3:00) PM to six (6:00) PM; and

(ii) Average and maximum traffic delay times during weekends and holidays, and the time of those delays.

(5) An overview of costs related to actions on the bridge, including:

(i) The projected costs for repairing the bridge and for replacing the bridge, and any combination thereof and for any segments or portions thereof;

(ii) The overtime costs submitted to the department for reimbursement for traffic details, and police, fire, rescue, school, and related costs for the time period covered by the report;

(iii) An overview of the direct effects, as best can be determined, on streets and roads in East Providence and Providence impacted by the bridge closure, with an emphasis on increased motor vehicle traffic and congestion on those streets and roads, for the time period covered by the report; and

(iv) Any data received by the department relating to any health effects on residents in the vicinity of the bridge caused by increased motor vehicle traffic and congestion.

(6) Any updates pertaining to pending investigations and audits related to the bridge.

(7) Responses to questions submitted by the chair of the house oversight committee and the chair of the senate oversight committee within each successive snapshot report.

(d) Upon receipt of information reflecting an unexpected change in the anticipated progress in repairing or replacing the Washington Bridge, the department shall promptly transmit the information to the governor, the president of the senate, and the speaker of the house rather than delay until the next snapshot report due date.

(e) Each snapshot report shall be made public on the department’s website, including any website maintained by the department to specifically address the actions being taken on the Washington Bridge.