This story was originally published on August 22; it has been updated.
A resolution to reverse Dixon Street’s direction in Newport will be presented to the Newport City Council at its September 11 Regular Council Meeting.
The resolution was originally introduced at Newport City Council’s August 28 meeting, but it was continued for two weeks without discussion.
Third Ward Councilor David R. Carlin III is introducing the resolution to address longstanding traffic concerns in the area, according to the resolution.
The proposed change would alter Dixon Street’s current flow from Thames Street to Spring Street, instead running from Spring Street to Thames Street.
“Traffic in the City of Newport has been for many years and continues to be, a challenge for city residents,” the resolution states, highlighting the particular difficulties faced on narrow streets that are not easily traversed.
Safety concerns are at the forefront of the resolution, which notes that such streets “can also be dangerous for both residents of these streets and non-resident users of these streets.”
According to the resolution, the push for this change comes after years of appeals from Dixon Street residents.
“Residents of Dixon Street in the city have been expressing these and other concerns about their street for many years now and have been consistently requesting that the city reverse the direction of the street,” the resolution explains.
If passed, the resolution would direct the city manager to take the necessary steps to implement the directional change.
The City Council’s decision on this resolution could set a precedent for how Newport addresses similar traffic concerns in other parts of the city.
If approved, the implementation process would likely involve several steps, including updating street signs and maps, and informing residents, businesses, and motorists.
Resolution
Newport City Council will consider this item during its August 28 meeting in the Council Chambers at Newport City Hall. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. and is open to the public. See the full agenda for the meeting here.
As a resident and home owner on Dixon St., I am so thrilled to see the Council consider our concerns. This change would be so helpful for us, making our narrow street safer for residents, pedestrians, and pets. We have daily issues with drivers being fast and reckless on our street to cut through to Spring, despite the “No Through Traffic” sign, and the problem is magnified by the fact that Dixon is so narrow. Directing the traffic to wider streets that can accommodate it would be beneficial for all.
We need to do the same on West Narragansett Ave from Thames on down. There are times I can’t get out of driveway. Also it’s like a racetrack
This would move the Dixon Street traffic to Hammond Street that is wider but could make the Hammond Street residents unhappy. Another possibility is to move the traffic to Narragansett Ave where the road bed is in such disrepair the traffic moves much more slowly.
We experience the same problems on Dennison Street but here’s the real issue: enforcement. Thames St., Dixon, and Dennison are the wild wild west. No enforcement of parking violations, bicycles going the wrong way on sidewalks, people just jaywalking/pouring in to streets.
Reverse Dixon but you’re problem isn’t going away until there’s enforcement. My suggestion? Station a cop at the top of Dixon currently to catch and ticket folks ignoring “no thru traffic” or at the bottom if you reverse the street. Hit ’em in the wallet folks once it’s realized they are just racing through. On Dennison people shouldn’t be on the street unless they live here or they are visiting St. Clare’s but, no, all day and night there’s a steady stream of delivery trucks, speeders with out of town plates, and Nitro Bar customers. This is eat what we kill, folks, that is enforce and make money while sending the message that enough is enough.
Jim Connell
Newport
all the traffic will now just go up Hammond. You’re just moving the problem to another location. olution…STOP promoting Newport