Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes old, unmaintained roads to become hiking trails and flood-prone coastal streets to remain open to pedestrians and cyclists only in Rhode Island.

Highlights:

• Authorizes that a town or city council may determine if a highway in the municipality has ceased to be useful to the public with the decision being final and conclusive (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes easement as an alternative to abandonment as a means to develop hiking trailers, biking, access to parks, or other recreational activities (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that if this is not established then property rights will defer to the abutting property owners to the center of the highway (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that this does not alter the status of highways previously determined to be abandoned (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text