Newsletter #10 - 2/2/19 - Comp Plan - Transportation

Middletown Leads

AREA # 5 – Transportation

The guiding principles of this area of the Comprehensive Plan include:

      1. Transportation has a profound influence on residents’ quality of life.
      2. There exists a fundamental relationship between transportation and land 

          use.
      3. Regional and island transportation patterns affect the local transportation 

          system and local decisions will have regional impacts.

Transportation - Goals, Policies, & Action Items

      1. Promote safety as a top priority with all transportation strategies, 

          infrastructure projects, and programs
      2. Provide a street network that allows for safe and efficient movement of 

          vehicular traffic throughout the town
      3. Provide for and promote the use of alternative modes of transportation
      4. Promote the use and expansion of public transit to reduce traffic 

          congestion and to improve air and water quality for the citizens of 

          Middletown and Aquidneck Ave.
      5. Maintain, preserve and extend the life and vitality of prior investments in 

          the transportation system
      6. Make transportation decisions and policies that promote energy 

          conservation, foster healthy communities, and protect environmental 

          quality

Challenges Related to Transportation

Major challenges include split responsibility (Town/RIDOT) for roadways, two-lane arterial roadways, a lack of consistent pedestrian access, no provisions for bicycle transportation, and seasonal travel that can double traffic volume.

Aquidneck Island Transportation Study - Middletown

A two-year Aquidneck Island Transportation Study (completed in 2011) culminated in the development of a Comprehensive Multi-Modal Transportation Master Plan for Aquidneck Island. Following are the recommendations that applied to Middletown at that time:

      1. Optimize traffic signals
      2. Reconstruct the Two Mile Corner intersection
      3. Make localized intersection safety/capacity improvements realigning  

         Aquidneck Ave./Purgatory Rd intersection to eliminate the slip lane
      4. Widen West Main Rd to provide left turn lanes at Oliphant Lane and 

          Forest Avenue 

      5. Extend existing left turn lanes at Gate 17 Access Road and Valley Road
      6. Construct new Burma Road connections to the north and south

Transit improvements focused on making transit options more attractive, available, and efficient:

     1. Encourage Transit Oriented Development
     2. Provide additional bus service
     3. Establish Newport Jitney Service (access to Middletown Beaches/Atlantic 

         Beach District)
    4. Implement Rapid Bus Service
    5. Maintain Active Newport Secondary Rail Corridor
    6. Enhance Transit Users’ Experience
    7. Encourage employers to institute Transit Programs for Employees
    8. Create Park and Ride Opportunities
    9. Enhance Ferry Service