Rhode Island General Laws Title 24. Highways § 24-8-19. Designation and maintenance of detours

(a) Whenever it is necessary for the purpose of constructing, reconstructing, or repairing state roads to close such roads to the traveling public, the department of transportation shall provide suitable detours, and when roads other than state roads are designated by the department of transportation as detours, then the other roads shall be maintained in reasonably good condition by the department of transportation during their use as detours, and for the purpose of providing and maintaining the detours, may expend in the aggregate from appropriations available for the construction, reconstruction or repair, a sum not exceeding thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) annually and the state controller is hereby directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of so much thereof as may be from time to time required upon receipt of properly authenticated vouchers.

(b) The designation and use as a detour of any road other than a state road, and the maintenance of another road so used shall in no way be construed as acceptance as a state road, and the other road shall not come under the supervision of the department of transportation except for use as a detour as provided in this section.