The #MiddletownRI Town Council has an April 15 public hearing planned for residents and businesspeople to share their ideas about a proposed "diet" to East Main Road north of Wyatt Road. Come to the 6:30 pm meeting in Town Hall to have your say.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Matt Sheley at (401) 842-6543 or msheley@middletownri.com 
ROAD DIET DISCUSSION ON APRIL 15
MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (APRIL 9, 2024) – The Town Council wants to hear what residents and businesspeople think about a “road diet” for upper East Main Road.
First floated last month by BikeNewport as a way to make the area north of Wyatt Road safer, the idea has triggered a range of responses since.
Some say it would improve things dramatically better for bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists alike, while others maintain it’s a nightmare of traffic, accidents and more in waiting.
Local leaders said they wanted everyone to have a chance weigh in on the concept at the Town Council’s April 15 regular meeting at 6:30 pm in Town Hall. That way, the area officials said they could make a fully informed, thoughtful decision and honor the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) deadline of April 19.
“There are a lot of opinions out there and I certainly have mine,” council President Paul M. Rodrigues said. “But I’m just one voice here and hearing from our residents and businesses is an important part of this process. We want to make sure we’re as transparent and open with this — and everything — as we possibly can be.”
Regardless of what happens at the meeting Monday, RIDOT plans on resurfacing East Main Road north into Portsmouth.
A plan was presented by BikeNewport to the council — and community — at its March 4 session, calling for the “road diet.” As part of that concept, a center turn lane would be installed along with a dedicated area for bicyclists. See https://www.middletownri.com/DocumentCenter/View/12128/BikeNewport for more.
After news articles appeared about the potential project, RIDOT sent a letter to the town, indicating it was not in favor of the “road diet” and the problems that could occur. See https://www.middletownri.com/DocumentCenter/View/12129/RIDOT-Diet for more.
Instead of making a decision about how to progress at its April 1, the council agreed that additional feedback was necessary.
Document Link: https://www.middletownri.com/DocumentCenter/View/12130/NYCU-Diet
