WLNE: Newport Cliff Walk receives $16M in federal funding

NEWPORT, R.I. (WLNE) — On Monday, Congressmen Gabe Amo, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse announced that Rhode Island has been allocated over $16 million in federal funds to strengthen Newport’s Cliff Walk.

Drawing over 1 million visitors annually, the iconic three-mile Cliff Walk along the Newport Mansions and overlooking the ocean has been in need of repair.

In March 2022, a key section of the walk collapsed due to costal erosion and severe weather. 

In June of 2023, Gov. Dan McKee issued an emergency disaster declaration for the Cliff Walk.

More recently, a sinkhole was found, causing the southern section to close.

The Cliff Walk has remained open with detours.

Sen. Reed, Sen. Whitehouse, and Congressmen Amo secured the $16 million in funding to fix the damages.

This funding was contributed through two separate funding streams:

• A $5 million federal earmark will help pay for engineering and design work
• An $11 million grant to will aid in repairing vulnerable infrastructure

Congressmen Amo shared:

“Newport’s Cliff Walk is an icon of our state. Our Cliff Walk has been battered by wind and rains before, including the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and recent closure within the last week. When sections of the trail collapsed two years ago, it became abundantly clear that critical investments were needed. I’m thrilled that federal dollars are on the way and I’m looking forward to when our Cliff Walk reopens for every resident and visitor to our district to enjoy for decades to come.”