More than 85 percent of Newport’s roadways have been reopened, the city announced Friday, with that number expected to climb above 90 percent by early Friday morning. Rapid Snow Removal crews are now targeting Broadway, Friendship, Powell, Kay Street, and Rhode Island Avenue as the 24/7 operation continues.
City Hall will reopen Monday, along with trash collection and public meetings, the city said in a Friday morning email to residents.
Newport launches ‘Rapid Snow Removal’ operation
The City of Newport launched what it called a Rapid Snow Removal operation Thursday evening, deploying heavy equipment on loan from the state in the Lower Thames Street corridor. The city said the coordinated effort — involving city crews, a private contractor, and state partners — will run 24/7 across the city until resources are exhausted.
“We’re only three days removed from being pummeled by the most impactful blizzard Newport has ever seen,” the city said. “And with an unprecedented storm, we’ve deployed an unprecedented response.”
The city called it the most aggressive winter storm cleanup Newport has ever undertaken. The operation builds on a snow removal exercise conducted last month, the city said.
On Friday, Rapid Snow Removal operations are taking place on Broadway, Friendship, Powell, Kay Street, and Rhode Island Avenue. Residents on those streets are being asked to move vehicles to off-street parking if possible and give heavy equipment ample room to operate.
City Council Chair Charlie Holder said the equipment is also targeting the 3rd Ward, Thames-Spring connector streets, and affordable housing complexes. Holder asked residents on affected streets to shovel out their cars as soon as possible to help speed the work.
The city said crews will move through neighborhoods opening impassable streets first, then expand operations to widen lanes with the goal of clearing curb to curb. Targeted, neighborhood-specific emergency alerts will be issued in advance of crews arriving. Traffic detours or restrictions may be necessary while work is underway.
Looking ahead to next week
The city outlined several milestones expected next week:
- City Hall will reopen Monday
- Public meetings will resume
- Trash collection will resume Monday
- Newport Recreation will resume programming (check CityofNewport.com/Recreation for a full schedule)
- Parking restrictions will be lifted as streets are widened
The mandatory parking ban remains in effect until further notice on the following Newport streets: Annandale Road, Bellevue Avenue (Kay Street to Bowery Street), Bedlow Avenue, Bliss Road, Coggeshall Avenue, East Bowery Street, Farewell Street, Friendship Street, Gibbs Avenue, Gould Street, Kay Street, Powell Avenue, Spring Street, Summer Street, Thames Street, Third Street, Warner Street, Washington Street, Washington Square, West Marlboro Street, West Narragansett Avenue, William Street, and Van Zandt Avenue (J.T. Connell Memorial Road east to Malbone Road). The southbound side of Broadway is exempt.
No parking is also being enforced in the Yachting Village on Ann Street, Pope Street (Spring to East), Anthony Street, and Fountain Street, and in the Fifth Ward on Carroll Avenue (Morton to Ruggles), Old Fort Road, and Harrison Avenue (Carroll to Halidon).
Parking bans also remain in effect in Jamestown and Tiverton until further notice. Middletown and Portsmouth are no longer listed under active parking bans.
Newport Public Schools and the Edward King House Senior Center remain closed through Friday. Ocean Drive remains closed to vehicular traffic.
The Edward King House storm recovery information line remains active at 401-846-7426, ext. 1, for older adults and caregivers needing help navigating recovery resources.
RIPTA: multiple routes on detour Friday
RIPTA announced Friday morning that multiple routes remain on detour due to post-blizzard conditions but did not specify which routes, directing passengers to RIPTA.com/alerts for the latest service advisories throughout the day. Riders should expect potential delays on all routes. RIPTA encouraged passengers to download the Transit app to track trips in real time and to sign up for route-specific email alerts at RIPTA.com/schedules.
What’s closed Friday in Newport County
Schools:
- Newport Public Schools — Closed (closed all week)
- Middletown Public Schools — Closed (12-month employees report to building)
- Tiverton Public Schools — Closed (no virtual instruction)
- Portsmouth Public Schools — Virtual Learning Day
- Little Compton Public Schools — Virtual Learning Day
- Jamestown Public Schools — Closed
- The Met – East Bay (Newport) — Virtual Learning Day
- Bradley School (Portsmouth) — Distance Learning Day
- Pennfield School (Portsmouth) — Closed; remote learning
- Salve Regina University — Remote
- CCRI (all campuses) — Remote Learning Day; all activities canceled
- URI — Normal operations resume Friday
Childcare:
- Boys and Girls Clubs of Newport — Closed
- Head Start EBCAP (Newport) — All centers closed
Government and military:
- Newport City Hall — Closed
- Naval Station Newport — Normal operations; MWR, CYP, NEX, and DECA open
- Newport Public Library — Closed
- Edward King House Senior Center (Newport) — Closed; storm recovery information line active at 401-846-7426, ext. 1 for older adults and caregivers
- Portsmouth Senior Center — Closed all week
Community:
- Holy Ghost Church (Tiverton) — Friday Fish & Chips canceled
The forecast
Sunny skies and temperatures near 40 today will help with melting. Saturday looks even warmer at 45. Sunday’s chance of precipitation has dropped to 30%, with little or no snow accumulation expected.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 40. North wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm.
Friday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 25. South wind around 7 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 45.
Sunday: A slight chance of freezing rain before 8 a.m., then a chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.