Some good news for those who enjoy Newport’s beautiful Cliff Walk

NEWPORT, R.I. – The City of Newport has announced that it has received official confirmation to proceed with a significant funding package dedicated to the restoration and long-term preservation of the Cliff Walk, one of Rhode Island’s most iconic and beloved public landmarks.

The City’s Department of Public Services has been formally notified that its application for federal assistance through the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient and CostSaving Transportation grant program has received approval to advance. As a result, the City will now begin working in coordination with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration’s Providence Office to prepare a formal project agreement in accordance with new federal program guidelines.

The $11 million PROTECT grant—believed to be the largest single federal grant ever awarded to the City of Newport—brings the total financial commitment for the Cliff Walk restoration effort to approximately $22 million.

The grant award had originally been announced in April of 2024, and this final confirmation of funding allows the City to move aggressively toward completing a final design and project scope.

Following a sudden collapse of the Cliff Walk in March 2022, the City has undertaken an aggressive strategy to secure funding from multiple sources in order to address the necessary repairs without placing additional burden on local taxpayers. The PROTECT grant constitutes the most substantial portion of a diverse funding portfolio comprising federal, state, and local resources.

Confirmed funding sources for the project include:

• $11 million from the PROTECT grant
• $5 million Congressional earmark included in the Fiscal Year 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act
• $3 million from State Green Bond proceeds
• $3.75 million from the City’s 2024 General Obligation Bond, approved by Newport voters in November

Taken together, these combined funds will support essential infrastructure repairs and improvements, enhance the Cliff Walk’s coastal resilience, and ensure continued public access for future generations.

Further details regarding project timelines, engineering plans, and community engagement opportunities will be provided as the planning and permitting processes move forward.