Scenic Third Beach Project To Bury Utility Lines In Middletown

MIDDLETOWN, RI — The coastline between Third Beach Road and Indian Avenue is slated to get a facelift with the removal of utility and communications lines between Third Beach Road and Indian Avenue. The Scenic Aquidneck Coalition announced the project this week that will move the lines underground.

The Scenic Third Beach Project is designed to promote coastal resiliency, restore the historic landscape and enhance the area's scenic appeal. The project received unanimous approval from the Middletown Town Council last week.

"Aquidneck Island is a beautiful place with a rich history, and no place more so than the Paradise Valley," Trudy Coxe, Executive Director, The Preservation Society of Newport County said of how the stretch has been known since the 1800s. "The Scenic Third Beach Project is a tangible way to preserve and enhance the character of this iconic place, now and for generations to come. In these times, it is very rewarding to participate in a project that will leave such a lasting legacy."

The Aquidneck Coalition has been planning for the project for nearly two years. They said the project's launch, just as Rhode Island begins to reopen from the COVID-19 shutdown, is a hopeful signal of revitalization and recovery.he

The Aquidneck Coalition said that once the above-ground utilities are removed, the community will benefit from enhanced scenic views, a restored historic landscape and improved resiliency during hurricanes, coastal storms and flooding. The project will eliminate 77 utility poles and bury utilities along a 1.2-mile stretch of roadway.

Construction is anticipated to begin later in June.

"As a coalition of nonprofit organizations, we are focused on the goal of enhancing the visual quality and resilience of Aquidneck Island," said Valerie Talmage, Executive Director, Preserve Rhode Island. "Ultimately, we can accomplish much more as a coalition than we ever could individually. We are excited that this project is being advanced now As Rhode Islanders, we are uplifted to join together on a project that will refresh spirits in a beloved place were so many people connect to history and nature."

More than 90 percent of the $3.8-million project is being funded through private donations raided from philanthropic individuals and a grant from the van Beuren Charitable Foundation. The Coalition is seeking contributions to fund the remainder of the project.

"We all have a role to play in preserving the beauty and essence of the lands we enjoy," said Chuck Allott, Executive Director, Aquidneck Land Trust. "Among the other benefits, this effort will enhance the scenic quality of conserved land that is used and enjoyed by the public at Third Beach and Norman Bird Sanctuary, two very special places that will be further improved by this project."