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Council endorses temporary Valley Road protected bike‑lane demonstration, to seek RIDOT approval
Summary
The council endorsed a bike-ped committee demonstration to install temporary protected bike lanes on a short Valley Road segment using grant funding; implementation depends on RIDOT approval and coordination on liability, installation and volunteer involvement.
The Town of Middletown Council voted to endorse a Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee demonstration to test protected bike lanes on a short portion of Valley Road.
Emily Sullivan, chair of the Middletown Bike & Pedestrian Advisory Committee, told the council the project would be low-cost, temporary (paint and removable barriers) and designed to collect data and community feedback before any permanent change. She said Bike Newport applied for an AARP-funded grant that was awarded and that the implementation window would be mid‑August through mid‑September to satisfy grant reporting; a findings report would be submitted by the end of September.
Barry Freeman (Bike Newport) emphasized that the town and its staff would collaborate on the plan and that volunteers and some town staff (and possibly limited police support) could assist with installation. Councilors pressed on scope, liability on a state-owned roadway and how left-turn movements would be handled at merge points; staff said RIDOT (state) approval would be required through permit review and that the demonstration would be designed within existing pavement width where feasible. With those caveats, the council moved to accept the BPAC recommendation so staff could advance the plan to RIDOT for permitting; the motion carried.
