2026-96

RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE INSTALLATION OF TRAFFIC CAIMING MEASURES ON MAPLE AVENUE

WHEREAS, Maple Avenue is a residential street in Newport's First Ward that is home to families, children, seniors, pedestrians, and cyclists; AND

WHEREAS, Maple Avenue is the location of a Head Start program serving young children and families, resulting in significant pedestrian activity during arrival and dismissal times; AND

WHEREAS, residents have repeatedly expressed concerns regarding excessive vehicle speeds, unsafe driving behaviors, and the safety of pedestrians traveling along Maple Avenue; AND

WHEREAS, Maple Avenue is frequently utilized as a cut-through route by motorists seeking to avoid congestion on surrounding roadways, contributing to increased traffic volumes and vehicle speeds within a residential neighborhood; AND

WHEREAS, the City of Newport has a responsibility to provide safe streets for all users and to promote walkable, family-friendly neighborhoods; AND

WHEREAS, traffic-calming measures have been proven to reduce vehicle speeds, improve pedestrian safety, and enhance neighborhood quality of life; AND

WHEREAS, the City of Newport has utilized automated speed enforcement technology in designated areas to encourage compliance with posted speed limits and improve public safety, and additional opportunities for such enforcement may warrant evaluation where speeding concerns persist; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, that the Newport City Council requests that the Administration conduct or review any necessary traffic analysis and prioritize the implementation of traffic-calming measures on Maple Avenue to improve public safety and reduce excessive vehicle speeds; and BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, that such measures may include, but are not limited to, speed humps, raised crosswalks, enhanced pedestrian warning signage, pavement markings, speed feedback signs, curb extensions, narrowed travel lanes, or other proven traffic-calming strategies deemed appropriate by City staff; and BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, that the Administration and the Newport Police Department are requested to evaluate the feasibility, legality, and appropriateness of implementing a semi-automated speed enforcement program on Maple Avenue, or in its vicinity, and to provide recommendations to the City Council regarding whether such a program could effectively reduce speeding and improve pedestrian safety; and BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, that the Administration provide the City Council with recommendations, a proposed implementation timeline, and any associated funding requirements for the installation of traffic-calming measures and any speed enforcement recommendations; and BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, that the Newport City Council reaffirms its commitment to protecting children, families, seniors, and all residents by creating safer neighborhood streets throughout the City of Newport.

ELLEN PINNOCK
STEPHANIE SMYTH

IN COUNCIL
READ AND PASSED
JUNE 10, 2026

Laura C. Swistak, CMC
City Clerk