R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-12-38: Covenant against competition.

The state covenants and agrees with the holders of any bonds or obligations of the authority that the state will not authorize or permit the construction, operation, and maintenance of any additional facility for the transportation of passenger vehicles by any person or body other than the authority within a distance of ten (10) miles in either direction from any project financed by the authority under the provisions of this chapter.