Newport City Council is considering new transportation and parking policies for large events to address residents’ congestion and quality of life issues.
Councillors Lynn Underwood Ceglie and Jean Marie Napolitano introduced a resolution at the Aug. 14 council meeting directing city staff to develop recommendations for amending special event policies.
The resolution cites Newport’s popularity as a tourist destination, hosting an estimated 3 million visitors annually, which puts increasing demands on city resources and infrastructure.
“The summer of 2024 has been particularly challenging for residents who all too often must negotiate heavily traveled main and side roads during special event weekends,” the resolution states.
It points to the U.S. Senior Golf tournament held in June 2024 as an example of successfully minimizing traffic impacts through strategies like off-site parking, resident-only corridors and wayfinding programs.
Ceglie said the resolution aims to build on that success for other large events.
“Maybe there was a threshold for these large events and that we could, something would trigger these remote parking areas to be used just as they were for the golf tournament,” she said.
The resolution calls for staff from multiple city departments to present recommendations on amending special event policies to reduce congestion, using the 2022 Master Transportation Plan as guidance.
Councilor Carlin expressed concerns about the city potentially taking on costs for providing shuttles or parking options, arguing event organizers should be responsible.
“I don’t believe it’s the onus should be on the city of Newport to provide such transportation,” said Councilor Carlin. “The onus should be on those who are coming to the city council and asking for these large-scale events.”
Others noted the city already has a transportation master plan that addresses many of these issues.
“We have a plan document that’s thought about the macro impacts, the need to improve transportation, not just during big events, but constantly,” said Mayor Xay.
The resolution was passed with Councilors Lima and Carlin opposing it.
During public comment, a bike advocate urged the council to consider cycling as part of the transportation solution, citing data showing 1,600 bikes per day at the recent folk festival kept an estimated 650 cars off the road.
Resolution
