2024 -- H 7677

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LC004871

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- MAINTENANCE OF TOWN HIGHWAYS

     Introduced By: Representatives Shallcross Smith, Nardone, Roberts, Chippendale, Place,
Cotter, J. Brien, Casimiro, Noret, and Serpa

     Date Introduced: February 15, 2024

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 24-5-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 24-5 entitled "Maintenance

of Town Highways" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     24-5-1. Duty of town to maintain highways.

     (a) All highways, causeways, and bridges, except as provided by this chapter, lying and

being within the bounds of any town, shall be kept in repair and amended, from time to time, so

that the highways, causeways, and bridges may be safe and convenient for travelers with their

teams, carts, and carriages at all seasons of the year, at the proper charge and expense of the town,

under the care and direction of the town council of the town, provided that the state state shall be

responsible for the annual cleaning and inspection of all sidewalks on all state highways, roads,

causeways, and bridges.

     (b) In addition, the surfaces of all highways and causeways shall be maintained in such a

state of repair as to make them safe for bicycles.

     SECTION 2. Section 24-7-8 of the General Laws in Chapter 24-7 entitled "Sidewalks" is

hereby amended to read as follows:

     24-7-8. Sidewalks along state highways.

     (a) Nothing in this chapter shall be held to oust the state of jurisdiction over any such

sidewalks and curbing as may be made, laid, or constructed upon state highways within a town, but

no sidewalks or curbing on state highways shall be made, laid, or constructed without the approval

of the director of transportation first being had and obtained as to the feasibility, location, type, and

time of construction.

     (b) Pursuant to § 24-5-1, all inspections, cleaning and maintenance, including, but not

limited to, repairs and remediation of dangerous and hazardous conditions of sidewalks along state

highways and roads shall be the responsibility of the state, with the exception of snow and ice

removal on those sidewalks.

     SECTION 3. Section 24-8-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 24-8 entitled "Construction

and Maintenance of State Roads" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     24-8-6. Authority for sidewalks and curbs.

     (a) The director of transportation shall have the power and authority to make, lay in and

upon, and construct sidewalks, including curbs, adjacent to and along either or any one side or both

sides of any state road, now constructed, in the process of construction, or to be constructed, which

in his or her opinion and judgment require sidewalks and curbs for pedestrian travel.

     (b) Pursuant to § 24-5-1, all inspections, cleaning and maintenance, including, but not

limited to, repairs and remediation of dangerous and hazardous conditions of sidewalks along state

highways and roads shall be the responsibility of the state with the exception of snow and ice

removal on those sidewalks.

     SECTION 4. 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 -- MAINTENANCE OF TOWN HIGHWAYS

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     This act would require that all inspections, cleaning and maintenance, including, but not

limited to, repairs and remediation of dangerous and hazardous conditions of sidewalks along state

highways and city and town roads, with the exception of snow and ice removal, be the responsibility

of the state.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC004871

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