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Council workshop includes $500,000 proposal to start Transportation Master Plan projects, staff says Narragansett sidewalk work is priority
Summary
City staff proposed adding $500,000 to the CIP to implement priority items from the "Keep Newport Moving" transportation master plan, including a short-term sidewalk and multimodal project on Narragansett Avenue that could be built within a year or used for planning to leverage grants.
Newport officials told the council they propose $500,000 in fiscal-year 2026 capital funding to begin implementing the city's recently adopted Transportation Master Plan, with a priority project identified on Narragansett Avenue.
Transport staff said the money could be used either to complete planning and engineering work to make multiple plan elements buildable and more competitive for grants, or to construct an early priority project. As described by staff, the Narragansett Avenue project would extend sidewalks and multimodal improvements from Ochre Point to Spring, was identified as a short-term priority in the master plan, and has engineering estimates that put it in the $500,000 range.
Trish Reynolds (transportation staff) told the council the project "would be a really great start to the build out of our network" and that the plan also improves the city's position to apply for federal and state grants, including a potential Safe Streets and other safety-focused funding. Staff said some early priority items are on state roads and require state buy-in, and that the city has worked to list some safety projects in the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).
Councilors asked about splitting the $500,000 over two years to reduce pressure on other bond or PAYGO items and whether the work would be in-house or use contractors; staff said engineering and much of planning work exists in-house but construction would be performed by outside contractors and that the project could be completed in roughly one year if funded.
Why it matters: The transportation plan is the city's roadmap to reduce traffic and improve safety. Funding an early buildable project positions Newport to secure matching grants and demonstrate project progress to residents.
What is not decided: Council provided feedback but did not take a formal vote on the $500,000 allocation during the workshop.
Ending note: Staff offered to provide regular updates, including quarterly reports, on implementation if the council directs the funding to begin in FY26.
