R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-5-23: Bridges and culverts built by adjoining landowners.

Any person owning land adjoining any public highway may build such bridges or culverts over the ditches, which may be made in the highway for the passage of water, as may be necessary to render the passage from the land to the highway safe and convenient; and no bridge or culvert shall be altered, removed, or disturbed by any person, except under the direction of the town council of the town where the bridge or culvert may be situated, or of some person by them appointed for that purpose.