Rhode Island General Laws Title 24. Highways § 24-8-34. Regulation of access

(a) The legislature recognizes the need for the director of the department of transportation to establish and maintain the safe condition and integrity of state roads. Accordingly, the director is authorized to regulate direct vehicle access to state roads in situations whereby access may reasonably tend to affect the safe condition and integrity of state roads. This includes the authority to regulate the type, location, and width of roadways and driveways at their intersection with state highways and the authority to regulate construction within state highway right-of-ways.

(b) Requests for access must be made in writing to the director, the local planning board and the chief elected or appointed official in a city or town at the same time and in a manner prescribed by the director. The director shall promulgate rules and regulations which prescribe the conditions under which requests will be granted. These rules and regulations shall apply prospectively and shall be based on accepted engineering and construction standards.

(c) The director may provide written notice and comments on the proposed access or alterations to the planning board and the chief elected or appointed official of the city or town in which the state highway is located for all commercial and residential physical alteration permit applications filed with the department and shall afford the planning board and the chief elected or appointed official of the city or town with the ability to provide written comments on the request.