2024 -- S 2727 SUBSTITUTE A

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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: Senators Lawson, Lauria, Britto, Euer, Felag, Ujifusa, McKenney, and
DiPalma

     Date Introduced: March 07, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Rules, Government Ethics and Oversight

     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" or "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 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.

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     (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.

     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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