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Council hears Beach Road update; residents and bike committee press for safer pedestrian and bicycle access, petition seeks turn lane at Wildflower and Route 1
Summary
DPW presented a CRMC application for short‑term surfacing work on Charlestown Beach Road (estimated about $30,000); residents pressed for better materials and dust mitigation and bike advocates asked that pedestrian and bicycle access be included. Separately, a 49‑signature petition requested a right‑turn lane at Wildflower and U.S. 1 North; the state traffic commission agreed to study the location.
Town public works director Alan Arsenault told the council the town submitted an application to the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) for improvements to Charlestown Beach Road (Creek Bridge to the last house) and estimated a short‑term, maintenance overlay at roughly $30,000. Arsenault said some maintenance work already completed this year was limited to grading and permitted gravel placement; the more substantive repair application was submitted Sept. 30 and is pending a CRMC response.
Residents testified the road is the worst they’ve seen and asked when more extensive work will begin; one resident asked whether the proposed material will recreate prior dust problems. Arsenault and councilors said they hope to use fresher asphalt millings to reduce dust and acknowledged longer‑term solutions will be costlier and require more permitting.
The Block Island Sound Bike Committee urged that any improvements consider safe pedestrian and bicycle access where feasible and requested that shoulders or other provisions be evaluated in engineering plans. Councilors said the immediate aim was to make the road passable quickly for about $30,000 while recognizing a longer‑term engineering study is needed to address active travel needs.
Separately, the council received a petition with 49 signatures from Foster Cove residents asking for a right‑turn lane at Wildflower Road and U.S. 1 North, citing constrained sight lines, increased traffic and conflicts with on‑street parking near Monahan’s Clam Shack by the Cove. Mr. Allen reported he contacted a RIDOT safety engineer and that the State Traffic Commission voted to study the location and investigate property lines. Councilors suggested drafting a resolution of support to accompany the petition and coordinate with state agencies if necessary.
No funding decisions were made at the meeting; work timelines remain contingent on CRMC and RIDOT reviews.
