RI Looking to Cut Public Input on DOT Transportation Plans

RI Looking to Cut Public Input on DOT Transportation Plans

The Rhode Island State Planning Council is looking to “streamline" the state's Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) — by reducing the time required to post public hearings, eliminating hearings at the planning stage, removing the requirement to hold public workshops for applicants, and shortening the public comment period. 

The Council put forth a “notice of rule making” for a public comment hearing that will take place at the Department of Administration on Tuesday (see below), outlining how the council is looking to amend the rules of procedure under state general law to remove a number of public input measures. 

Pat Ford, the Chair of the Rhode Island Libertarian Party, took issue with the proposed changes, having first posted on the issue on his radio show’s website.

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“Given the near absence of faith in our Rhode Island State Government, it is simply astonishing that RIDOT would take a process shrouded in mystery, deceit and incompetence and decide to further impair any shred of transparency to the taxpayer,” said Ford.

About TIP - And Proposed Changes

According to the state website:

The TIP is a list of transportation projects the State of Rhode Island intends to implement using United States Department of Transportation funds. For a transportation project to utilize federal funds it must be included in the TIP. The TIP is the product of extensive data analysis coupled with "a significant outreach effort to communities, public interest groups, and citizens throughout the state.”

The changes proposed — which can be found here —  include:

* Reducing the length of notice required prior to a public hearing to 10 days
* Eliminating the requirement for municipal governments to hold a public hearing on projects they intend to submit to TIPS
* Striking the requirement for TIPS to identify the phase of work programmed for each year
* Removing the requirement for the Division and Transportation Advisory Committee to hold public workshops for the purpose of accepting TIP applications
* Reducing the required public review and comment period to 30 days.

“Streamlining the TIP process through these amendments will reduce the administrative burdens placed upon municipalities and reduce the time needed to complete annual updates to a six month time frame,” wrote the Department in its notice. 

Public Hearing

The State Planning Council will conduct a public comment hearing on the proposed revisions on Tuesday, December 20, at 5:30 p.m  in Conference Room A, second floor, at the Department of Administration. 

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