Literally within minutes of the Warren Town Council discussing the topic at its Tuesday, March 11, meeting, the Rhode Island State Senate passed a piece of legislation defining which entity should be responsible for the upkeep of municipal sidewalks.

Cities and towns have an ally in the sponsor of the bill (2025-S-0057) in the upper chamber. Senator Gordon E. Rogers (R-Dist. 21, Foster, Coventry, Scituate, West Greenwich) is his every-day life happens to be the Director of Public Works for the Town of Foster.

His legislation would "require that all maintenance of sidewalks along state highways, with the exception of snow and ice removal, be the responsibility of the state."

At the moment, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation has authority over sidewalks and curbs along state highways, however the responsibility to maintain them has been born out by municipalities. The bill puts maintenance and repair, with the exception for snow and ice removal, on the state.

In a press release, Rogers said, “This bill is crucial for public safety and essential for the equitable and consistent upkeep of sidewalks on state roads across varied and disparate municipal budget constraints. It makes sense that if a sidewalk is on a state road, it’s a state responsibility. With this legislation, we can level the playing field for municipalities, preserve infrastructure investments, and enhance pedestrian safety and accessibility.”

Companion legislation (2025-H-5393), sponsored by Rep. Maryann Shallcross Smith (D-Dist. 46, Lincoln, Pawtucket) is up for consideration in the State House of Representatives. If approved by both chambers, the legislation would take effect upon passage.

Company Street one-way
The Warren Traffic Committee held its most recent meeting on February 20 in the office of Town Manager Brian Sullivan, who provided the council with a brief review of the proceedings at last week's forum.

Sullivan noted the committee recommended that Company Street be changed to a one-way coming in from Water Street and heading towards Westminster Street. The manager said letters were sent to the residents in the area, and there was no feedback either for or against the move.

The council had talked about the topic previously. And upon consultation with the town's public safety officials and a brief discussion last week, the body approved the recommendation to make Company Street a one-way with immediate effect.

Metacom-Child intersection
Sullivan reported back to the council the State Traffic Commission has conducted a study on the intersection of
northbound Metacom Avenue and Child Street upon request of the town to determine if it was "safe" to make it a right-hand turn on red.

The commission, in turn, deemed after a review, the sight distances at this intersection did not meet the required guidelines to allow for a right turn on red. The state will be installing a "No Turn on Red" sign, prohibiting the maneuver.

Sullivan explained further, "The state looked at that and determined that there was a site issue and therefore they are going to install a no turn on red at that intersection north bound at Child Street."

More STIP
The council continued an ongoing review of road repair to be conducted under Rhode Island's State Transportation Improvement Program or "STIP."

Several existing roads in town have been included in previous STIP plans. Director of Public Works Brian Wheeler told the council last week the state is looking for project recommendation from Warren for the next 10 years, which the town will be able "to prioritize how we see fit."

Those projects to be considered are as follows: extension for the bike path from the "Broken Bridge; road diet or a single travel lane on Metacom Avenue similar to what was done in Bristol; Child Street and Long Lane traffic light or a roundabout; the intersection of Market Street, Miller Street and Main Street redesign; Belcher's Cove drainage issues stretching back to the Warren Boulevard.

DePasuale requested an item to be included seeking a rotary be installed on the east end of Market Street to replace the light while Council Derrik Trombley suggested the additional ask for a three-way stop at Long Lane and Schoolhouse Road.