To the editor:

A recent ProJo and Newport Daily News article fails to point out that the proposed town center project proposed three roundabouts. In that situation, RIDOT sent a Mr. Smith to explain the proposal. We then heard that Sen. Jack Reed had come up with bundle of cash for engineering. 

That was over 20 years ago. In this interim period and before, RIDOT has been the source of continuing dysfunctionality. In about 1974, RIDOT revealed plans at the Portsmouth Middle School auditorium to widen East Main Road. We are still waiting. 

About 10 years ago, RIDOT replaced the roughly 50-year-old Sakonnet River Bridge because in their words, they had failed to maintain it. (By way of example, the Mt. Hope Bridge is almost 100 years old.) Parts of the old bridge are still standing. Shortly thereafter, RIDOT got General Assembly approval for tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge. The weeping and gnashing of teeth was heard in the legislature and that idea was scraped. 

To RIDOT’s credit, the director came to Tiverton High School to listen to the natives. Please note the RIDOT director was willing to listen. The current RIDOT director didn’t even want to release the plans, never mind explain the proposal for the roundabout. He had no such luxury for the Washington Bridge failure. 

I don’t know if these roundabouts work or not. I do know that the Newport roundabout vacillates from to one to two lanes as you progress around it. It’s been a challenge but I think I have mastered it. Word of caution: If you see a tractor trailer trying to navigate the roundabout, back off. 

If roundabouts are so advantageous, why was one not installed in Middletown where East and West Main roads meet? Middletown has just recently tasted RIDOT performance in the matter of the reconstruction of Aquidneck Avenue. Perhaps RIDOT could meet with the business owners of Portsmouth to explain the lessons learned on that project in terms lost sales and reduced employment.

Philip Driscoll

Portsmouth