Until the Newport Bridge shall be opened for traffic, ferry service between the town of Jamestown and the city of Newport shall be maintained by the director of transportation and upon the opening of the Newport Bridge for traffic the ferry service shall be discontinued except that the director of transportation may provide ferry service for pedestrians only. The director of transportation is hereby authorized and empowered, after the transfer of the franchise to the authority, to provide ferry service for pedestrians only as provided in this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-23