Newport council backs restriping and weight restriction for Admiral Kalfas Road to calm traffic

The Newport City Council voted to support a package of traffic‑calming measures for Admiral Kalfas Road aimed at slowing traffic, improving crossings and creating safer space for bicyclists and schoolchildren. The resolution, introduced by Councilor Lima, asks city administration to formally endorse a restriping plan that would create 10‑foot travel lanes with buffered five‑foot bike lanes, ask the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and the State Traffic Commission to approve a truck weight restriction, and implement related signal and signage changes.

Supporters said the measures respond to repeated crashes near school travel times and months of resident advocacy. Councilor Lima told colleagues the changes are proactive steps to protect children and other road users and to ensure the community is not bearing the island’s commercial traffic burden. Councilor Carlin and several others praised Lima’s leadership and cited a completed RIDOT study and state traffic commission actions — including approval of rectangular rapid flashing beacons and upgraded signal backplates — as evidence the project is ready for the city’s endorsement.

City staff and the consultant from RIDOT described the restriping as part of a corridor redesign that will include five‑foot bike lanes and a two‑foot buffer, a 10‑foot travel lane, and dashed-to-solid lane transitions where necessary. Officials said the current painted shoulders are not sufficient for safe bicycling and will be replaced by striped bike lanes with hashed buffers. Engineering staff said the final design will require the state traffic commission’s approval for any weight restriction because narrowing travel lanes changes roadway classifications.

Council members raised implementation questions about bike‑lane continuity, where the bike lane would begin and end, and how the city and state will prevent diverted truck traffic on adjacent neighborhood streets. Public safety officials said two officers are certified to enforce weight restrictions and will provide periodic enforcement once the state posts official signs. The resolution also requests the city coordinate with Newport Public Schools to provide additional crossing guards until physical changes are made.

The council approved the resolution by voice vote with no recorded roll call and directed city administration to send the council’s written approval to RIDOT and to continue advocacy at the State Traffic Commission. Next steps include final engineering by the state agency, coordinated signage plans, and scheduling of additional crossing guards while measures are implemented.