Rhode Island General Laws Title 37. Public Property and Works § 37-5-2. Maintenance and construction of roads--Regulation of use--Cooperation with other agencies

(a) The department shall maintain and construct highways, roads, freeways, bridges, and incidental structures, and shall make rules and regulations regarding the use of highways, roads, freeways, bridges, and structures. The department shall cooperate with the several cities and towns in the construction of highways, roads, freeways, and bridges, and with the federal government on federal aid projects. Whenever a public utility files an application with the department for permission to excavate a state maintained road in order to extend its service, the department shall send a notice by certified mail to the town or city clerk of the municipality in which the excavation is to take place.

(b) Any contractor hired by the department to perform work shall notify a city or town that a subcontractor has been hired by the contractor to perform work in that city or town. The notification shall include the name and address of each contractor and subcontractor.