R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-10
The director of transportation shall have the power and authority to improve with automatic protection devices or by relocating or rebuilding existing highway-railroad crossings at grade, or by reconstructing existing railroad and highway separation structures, if the improvements, rebuilding, or reconstruction will increase the safety of the crossings and highway, or may eliminate the crossings at grade by the adjustment of track and highway levels and by the construction of separation structures and connecting roadways suitably located to serve all affected properties, and by closing the highways at existing crossings so served, subject to approval of the railroad authorities and the public utilities and carriers administration as provided in chapters 1 - 9 of title 39. For railroad-highway crossings not on the state highway system, the improvements, construction, reconstruction, or closing shall also be subject to the approval of the town or city in which the work is to be performed.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-10