According to a Projo article in today’s paper, the
U.S. Navy [is] poised to dispose of nearly 400 acres of prime real estate — much of it on, or with views of, Narragansett Bay
I’m guessing this land is all in the Middletown or Newport areas. I was glad to see that
the visions include a bike path, nature trails, a waterfront park with a fishing pier, windmills, a mixed-use commercial/residential development near the Claiborne Pell Bridge and an expansion of marine-related businesses at Melville.
Bikes are actually mentioned, but I’m really concerned about what might come of Burma Road, a great ride for those trying to make their way down Aquidneck Island. Right now, it’s a beautiful, quite road where you can enjoy an ocean view and a great pedal. But the second half of this paragraph states that
the visions also include promoting intermodal transportation through better access to the Newport Secondary rail line and an alternative north-south automobile corridor to help relieve traffic congestion on the western side of the island.
Uh oh… cars being routed along these roads to relieve traffic congestion? I have little faith that without pressure from cyclists that these roads will be built with bicycles in mind. For those who live in Portsmouth, Middletown, and Newport, I’d strongly encourage you to reach out and start letting them know there are cyclists in the area. Those of us outside the area can do some, but the most strength comes from advocates that live in the affected areas.