§ 42-13-2.1. Duties of the department - Rhode Works project. (a) It shall be the responsibility of the department to identify the businesses affected and the specific impact of rhode works projects on small businesses and to deliver and communicate this information to the department of commerce. The department shall identify the traffic flow to Rhode Island small business commercial areas as it relates to road and bridge closings due to rhode works projects, and the realignment of the Newport Bridge ramps, identify road and bridge closings, parking restrictions, and alterations in traffic patterns to accommodate road and bridge repairs, including proposed dates of work, road closures, and re-routing of any traffic and parking patterns.

(b) During construction season (April through October), the department shall share the information collected in subsection (a) with the commerce corporation to allow at least two (2) months for the commerce corporation to assist small businesses affected by rhode works projects in the affected communities and neighborhoods as set forth in subsection (c). During emergencies, the department will contact the commerce corporation in order to coordinate a plan of action in the affected area. The department will meet with the commerce corporation on a regular basis in order to review upcoming projects and coordinate a plan of action for the affected businesses.

(c) The commerce corporation shall provide those affected businesses in the construction areas with a list of available resources, programs, and services that, if utilized, might minimize the economic and financial impact upon those businesses during road and bridge construction, including, but not limited to, contact by the commerce corporation to affected businesses and if desired, meeting with affected businesses during construction.

History of Section. (P.L. 2018, ch. 123, § 1; P.L. 2018, ch. 228, § 1.)