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Council backs restriping and weight limits on Admiral Kalfas Road to calm traffic and protect students
Summary
The Newport City Council unanimously approved a resolution backing RIDOT’s plan to restripe Admiral Kalfas Road with 10‑foot travel lanes and buffered 5‑foot bike lanes, seek weight‑restriction signage, add crossing guards and pursue related camera and signal upgrades to improve school‑time safety.
The Newport City Council approved a resolution directing the city to support RIDOT’s proposed restriping of Admiral Kalfas Road and to pursue truck weight restrictions and other traffic‑calming measures.
Councilor Angela Lima, who introduced the resolution, said the package of actions grew from resident complaints and a RIDOT study. "The city council supports the recommendation of the roadway modification to provide 10 foot travel lanes and buffered 5 foot bike lanes," she said, adding the administration will coordinate with Newport Public Schools to "provide additional crossing guards until such time of the traffic calming measures can be implemented." The resolution also endorses no‑turn‑on‑red signage, upgraded signal backplates and installation of a RRFB (rectangular rapid flashing beacon) at the Sagamore crosswalk.
Councilors asked technical questions about where bike lanes would begin and how lane changes would affect heavy vehicles. City staff explained the design: a 5‑foot bike lane with a 2‑foot buffer, and a 10‑foot travel lane on each side, with dashed demarcations where the bike lane eases into the roadway. "There will be signage that indicates the bike lane ends in 200 feet," administration staff said during the discussion.
Members raised concerns about truck diversion to neighborhood streets if weight restrictions apply. Administration and RIDOT representatives said the state traffic commission must approve weight limits and that the city will install clearer signage directing trucks to alternative arterials, and that enhanced enforcement will be available as needed. Chief Duffy (police chief) told council that the department has officers certified in weight‑restriction enforcement and will use them periodically once signs are posted.
The resolution passed on a voice vote. The council requested written follow‑up from administration and quarterly updates on the measures’ impacts as they are implemented.
