Aquidneck Coastal Trail Proposal Enters Design, With Public Input Ahead

Seven-day selection: reported October 12; project-partner announcement October 14.

A proposed walking and bicycling route on Aquidneck Island is moving into design, giving residents and visitors an opportunity to help shape a future alternative to driving.

Bike Newport announced October 14 that a working group led by Aquidneck Resilience is advancing a shared-use path beside the Newport Secondary railroad corridor. The first segment would extend 4.5 miles along Burma Road, linking the Melville area of Portsmouth with Access Road in Middletown.

The project’s website identifies the northern endpoint as Stringham Road. Engineering firms Pare Corporation and Horsley Witten Group have been selected to prepare initial designs.

This is a planning milestone, not the opening of a new trail. Aquidneck Resilience says current funding covers preliminary design; later design stages, permitting and construction will require additional funding.

The proposed path would run alongside active tracks, preserving operations by the Newport & Narragansett Bay Railroad and Rail Explorers. Organizers describe the corridor as a way to expand transportation choices while maintaining its railroad use.

Two public events are scheduled. An open house runs October 27 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Innovate Newport, 513 Broadway, with an engineering presentation and a family activity.

A community train ride follows November 1 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., departing from 1 Alexander Road in Portsmouth. Registration is required for the ride.

The official timeline anticipates concept designs in winter and spring 2027, followed by preliminary designs that summer and fall. Anyone planning coastal outings should watch the project’s progress without assuming construction is imminent.