The bill amends Chapter 24-12 of the General Laws concerning the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) by introducing a new section focused on safety measures for specific bridges. It directs RITBA to design a safety barrier and/or safety netting on the Mount Hope Bridge, Claiborne Pell Bridge, Staff Sergeant Christopher Potts Sakonnet River Bridge, and Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge. The bill outlines a timeline for this process, requiring RITBA to submit the design to the House and Senate finance committees on or before January 1, 2027, issue a request for proposals on or before April 30, 2027, and commence construction and installation of the safety barrier and/or safety netting no later than August 1, 2027.

Additionally, the bill mandates that any newly constructed bridges within the state with a deck height of over one hundred feet (100) must include safety barriers or safety netting. This legislation will take effect upon passage.