The traffic pattern in the area surrounding the old Coffee’s Garage on Spring Street has been extended in order to accommodate environmental testing at the request of the Historic Spring Leadership Committee.
The test, which was put in place at the direction of the City Council in July, is intended to simulate the traffic pattern around a proposed new public park at the site of Newport’s historic founding fresh water spring and has been nothing short of a nightmare for drivers trying to leave town via Farewell Street and those trying to access Washington Square.
Access to Washington Square and Farewell Street will be maintained via Stone Street, and motorists traveling to points west via the Newport Pell Bridge are encouraged to use Memorial Boulevard to America’s Cup Avenue.
City Council members are expected to make a final decision on the proposed traffic pattern following the receipt of a detailed traffic study currently being conducted by BETA Group engineering. Judging by their recent decision to ban much need redevelopment in Newport’s North End and trying to schedule the 4th of July Fireworks on July 13th, Newporters should brace for another terrible decision which will cause a permanent traffic nightmare.
