§ 43. State highway closures
(a) For purposes of this section, the phrase "planned closure of a State highway" means the closure of a State highway for more than 48 hours for a project that is part of the State's annual Transportation Program. The phrase does not include emergency projects, or closures of 48 hours or less for maintenance work.
(b) Before the planned closure of a State highway, the Agency shall:
(1) contact the legislative body of any municipality affected by the closure to determine whether the legislative body wishes to convene a regional public meeting for the purpose of hearing public concerns regarding the planned closure; and
(2) conduct a regional public meeting if requested by the legislative body of a municipality affected by the closure.
(c) To address concerns raised at a meeting held pursuant to subsection (b) of this section or otherwise to reduce adverse impacts of the planned closure of a State highway, the Agency shall consult with other State agencies and departments, regional chambers of commerce, regional planning commissions, local legislative bodies, emergency medical service organizations, school officials, and area businesses to develop mitigation strategies.
(d) In developing mitigation strategies, the Agency shall consider the need to provide a level of safety for the traveling public comparable to that available on the segment of State highway affected by the planned closure. If the Agency finds town highways unsuitable for a signed detour, the Agency will advise local legislative bodies of the reasons for its determination. (Added 2011, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 45; amended 2013, No. 12, § 20.)