§ 24-8-45. Steel plate use.
(a) The director of the department of transportation shall establish rules and regulations for the use of steel plates on roadway surfaces used to protect an excavation. At a minimum, the rules and regulations shall consider steel plates designed for the safety of vehicles and pedestrians to include:
(1) Steel plates shall withstand traffic loading without movement;
(2) When two (2) or more steel plates are used, the plates shall be welded in a manner to eliminate vertical movement;
(3) All steel plates shall be marked with the utility or contractor name and contact information;
(4) Steel plates shall be installed to extend a minimum of eighteen inches (18″) beyond the edge of the excavation;
(5) Temporary paving with a cold asphalt mix or installation of other suitably manufactured equipment shall be used to feather the edges of the plate to form a wedged taper to cover the edges of the steel plate;
(6) Each corner of the steel plate shall be marked with durable and highly reflective white pavement marking tape no less than four inches (4″) in width;
(7) The exposed surface area of the steel plate shall be slip resistant when required by the DPW director or other appropriate municipal approval authority; and
(8) All signage advising motorists of the steel plate shall be in compliance with the current edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
(b) The director of the department of transportation may authorize use of steel plates on roadway surfaces that fail to comply with subsection (a) in an emergency situation or for public safety purposes.
History of Section.P.L. 2019, ch. 184, § 2; P.L. 2019, ch. 253, § 2.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 24-8 - Construction and Maintenance of State Roads
Section 24-8-1. - Annual report and recommendations — Roads on which expenditures made — Contracts.
Section 24-8-1.1. - Rhode Island highway system — Purpose.
Section 24-8-1.2. - Rhode Island highway system — Establishment.
Section 24-8-1.3. - Definitions.
Section 24-8-1.5. - Turnback implementation plan.
Section 24-8-1.7. - Rules and regulations.
Section 24-8-2, 24-8-3. - Repealed.
Section 24-8-4. - Improvement, reconstruction, or widening of roads — Widening at town expense.
Section 24-8-4.1. - Highway workers.
Section 24-8-4.2. - Use of truck mounted attenuator.
Section 24-8-6. - Authority for sidewalks and curbs.
Section 24-8-7. - Specifications for curbs and sidewalks.
Section 24-8-8. - Space between curb and traveled highway.
Section 24-8-9. - Regulations of sidewalks and curbs.
Section 24-8-10. - Improvement or reconstruction of railroad crossings.
Section 24-8-11. - Beautification.
Section 24-8-12. - Contracts — Advertising for bids.
Section 24-8-13. - Contractors’ bond — Forfeiture.
Section 24-8-15. - Snow and ice removal — Notice of defects.
Section 24-8-17. - Determination and payment of appropriations to the state, cities, and towns.
Section 24-8-18. - Use of sums appropriated — Annual report.
Section 24-8-19. - Designation and maintenance of detours.
Section 24-8-20. - Location of fuel pumps adjacent to highway.
Section 24-8-21. - Jurisdiction of bridges on state highways.
Section 24-8-22. - Examination and repair or construction of bridges.
Section 24-8-23. - Cost of construction or repair of bridges used by public utilities.
Section 24-8-24. - Bridges incorporated into state system — Responsibility for maintenance.
Section 24-8-25. - Bringing new bridges into state system.
Section 24-8-26. - Removal of snow and ice from bridges — Notice of defects.
Section 24-8-27. - “Bridge” defined — Responsibility for smaller structures.
Section 24-8-29. - Succession of director to stone bridge commissioner.
Section 24-8-30. - Red Bridge exempt.
Section 24-8-31. - Federal aid rights preserved.
Section 24-8-32. - Drainage of surface water.
Section 24-8-33. - Connection into drainage system.
Section 24-8-34. - Regulation of access.
Section 24-8-35. - Damage caused by potholes — Claims against the state.
Section 24-8-36. - Right to administrative appeal.
Section 24-8-38. - Bristol road striping.
Section 24-8-39. - Exit ramp control devices for divided highways.
Section 24-8-40. - Woonsocket Lincoln Industrial Highway.
Section 24-8-41. - David Spicer Bridge.
Section 24-8-42. - Emergency management — Lane clearance.
Section 24-8-43. - Alteration of roadways.