Broadway Businesses Might Lose Front Entrance Access Next Week

NEWPORT, RI—Broadway businesses might lose front-entrance access next week as the ongoing construction project turns to sidewalk placement in the City Hall area.

The state Department of Transportation said in a news release that work to start installing sidewalk pavers across from City Hall should begin early next week. Parking will be restricted but restored in sections.

From Marlborough Street to Farewell Street, crews will be installing light foundations and conduit. Curb installation should begin on Wednesday and once that's done, sidewalk placement begins.

"We apologize in advance, but during the sidewalk placement, businesses may lose front entrance access," the DOT said. "In addition, parking in this area is limited during the day."

Parking should be restored overnight.

The Broadway Streetscape project is a major top-to-bottom overhaul for the primary road that runs through several business districts. Business owners have said that the seemingly-endless construction has driven away customers faced with difficulty finding parking. The noise, dirt and detours hasn't helped.

City officials have tried to respond to those concerns but a push to have the project delayed for the busy summer season was rebuffed over concerns that further delays would push the project beyond the construction season into another year. That would drag out the project, they said, and raise costs.