AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- RHODE ISLAND TURNPIKE AND BRIDGE AUTHORITY (Directs the RITBA design a safety barrier or netting system on the several bridges within its authority. Any newly constructed bridges with a deck height of over one hundred feet (100 ft) would be required to have safety barriers of safety netting.)

H8148

2026 -- H 8148
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LC003354
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- RHODE ISLAND TURNPIKE AND BRIDGE AUTHORITY

Introduced By:
Representatives Solomon, and Casey

Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026

Referred To:
House Finance
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 24-12 of the General Laws entitled "Rhode Island Turnpike and
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Bridge Authority" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
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24-12-60. Safety barrier on bridges.
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(a) The Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority (RITBA) is hereby directed to design
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a safety barrier and/or safety netting on the Mount Hope Bridge, the Claiborne Pell Bridge, the
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Staff Sergeant Christopher Potts Sakonnet River Bridge, and the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge
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(the “bridges”). The process shall be implemented as follows:
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(1) RITBA shall submit the design of the safety barrier and/or safety netting for the bridges
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to the house finance committee and the senate finance committee on or before January 1, 2027.
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(2) RITBA shall issue a request for proposals for the safety barrier and/or safety netting on
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or before April 30, 2027.
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(3) Proposals shall be reviewed and accepted by RITBA, and construction and installation
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of the safety barrier and/or safety netting shall commence on the bridges, no later than August 1,
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2027.
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(b) Any newly constructed bridges within the state with a deck height of over one hundred
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feet (100′) shall be required to have safety barriers or safety netting.

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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 HIGHWAYS -- RHODE ISLAND TURNPIKE AND BRIDGE AUTHORITY
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This act would direct the Rhode Island turnpike and bridge authority (RITBA) to design a
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safety barrier or netting system on the Mount Hope Bridge, the Claiborne Pell Bridge, the Staff
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Sergeant Christopher Potts Sakonnet River Bridge, and the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge. The act
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would include several deadlines to ensure construction commences no later than August 1, 2027.
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Any newly constructed bridges with a deck height of over one hundred feet (100′) would be
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required to have safety barriers or safety netting.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC003354
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LC003354 - Page 3 of 3