2024 -- H 7759

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LC005544

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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 STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF

TRANSPORTATION

     Introduced By: Representatives Kazarian, Dawson, Boylan, Knight, Speakman,
Donovan, Cortvriend, and McGaw

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2024

     Referred To: House State Government & Elections

     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:

     42-13-9. 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" refers to a series of three structures which 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 which report shall be deemed the "Washington Bridge snapshot report".

This 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 the ongoing developments with the Washington Bridge.

     (2) A copy of this 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 chairperson of the house finance committee; and

     (v) The chairperson of the senate finance committee.

     (3) The snapshot report shall, at a minimum, contain the elements described in subsections

(c) and (d) of this section.

     (c) The snapshot report shall contain the following elements:

     (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 a portion of the structures.

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

actions.

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

including:

     (i) Adjustments made to traffic patterns over the bridge;

     (ii) Adjustments the department anticipates making to these traffic patterns;

     (iii) The number, location, and time of all accidents, including motor vehicle, pedestrian,

cyclists, and construction personnel, on the bridge;

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

     (v) 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 the 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;

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     (ii) The overtime costs accrued from traffic details, police, fire, rescue, 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, 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) To the extent practicable, an assessment of any health effects on residents in the

vicinity of the bridge caused by increased motor vehicle traffic and congestion.

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

     (7) Provided further, that it is anticipated that the actions on the Washington Bridge shall

be a fluid situation. Accordingly, the general assembly may amend or add to the questions required

in each snapshot report from month to month, to ensure that it is reflecting and containing responses

to the most pertinent information, depending upon the then-current situation.

     (d) The snapshot report shall be signed and verified by the director of the department, and

include an attestation check box that the director has undertaken reasonable due diligence to

ascertain the veracity of the information contained in the snapshot report and that this information

is true and accurate to the best of the director’s knowledge and belief.

     (e) The snapshot report shall be made public on the department's website, including on any

website maintained by the department to specifically address the actions being taken on the

Washington bridge.

     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 direct the department of transportation to prepare a monthly "Washington

Bridge snapshot report." This report would contain information on the progress of repairs and other

actions pertaining to the Washington Bridge.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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