§ 17. Public hearings. To give the public an opportunity to become
fully acquainted with proposed highway projects and to express its views
on the social, economic and environmental effects of the proposed
facilities, the commissioner of transportation, as he deems necessary,
shall hold a public hearing or hearings, or offer the opportunity for
such hearing or hearings in order to consider the various highway
locations or corridors and designs deemed feasible by the commissioner
of transportation for the construction or reconstruction at a new
location of any highway heretofore or hereafter authorized pursuant to
the provisions of this chapter or any other general or special law, or
extensions of such highways, notwithstanding the fact that a particular
highway location or corridor may be specified by law. Provided, however,
that nothing herein shall be construed to authorize construction of any
highway in a location or corridor different from that which is
authorized pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or any other
general or special law, or to require construction of any highway in a
location or corridor so authorized if, after such hearing or hearings
and based on all the evidence available to him, the commissioner finds
such location or corridor not feasible. Prior to such hearing or
hearings, the commissioner of transportation shall consider and make
available to the public the various locations or corridors and design
alternates which he deems feasible.