R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-1-1
Whenever the city council of any city or the town council of any town shall determine that the public interest and convenience makes necessary or advantageous the acquisition of land or other real property, or any interest, estate, or right therein for the establishing, laying out, widening, extending or relocating, regrading, straightening, or improving any public highway, street, parkway, or driftway, or to secure more suitable lines, grades or safety, it may proceed to acquire the same by the exercise of eminent domain in the manner prescribed in this chapter, provided that no real property or interest, estate, or right therein belonging to the state shall be acquired without its consent and no real property or interest, estate, or right therein belonging to or used by a public utility shall be acquired without the consent of the division of public utilities and carriers.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-1-1