PORTSMOUTH — A long-envisioned coastal trail that would allow bicyclists and pedestrians to travel along Aquidneck Island’s western shoreline is finally moving off the drawing board.

A working group led by Aquidneck Resilience has announced progress on a proposed “rail with trail” project that would create a shared-use path alongside the existing Newport Secondary railroad tracks, offering sweeping views of Narragansett Bay while providing a safer route for walkers and cyclists.

The first phase would focus on a 4.5-mile stretch along Burma Road, from the Melville area of Portsmouth to Access Road in Middletown. Eventually, planners hope to extend the route around Naval Station Newport and connect it to the nearly three-mile shared-use path along Connell Highway, which leads toward downtown Newport.

For residents, the project could eventually provide a new recreational destination and an alternative to traveling some of the island's busy roads by bicycle or on foot.

The idea is hardly new. Plans for a path along the railroad corridor date back at least to 2000, when the Aquidneck Island Land Conservation Strategy identified a goal of connecting open spaces so residents could safely walk or bike from one end of the island to the other.

More than a quarter-century later, the concept is entering an initial design phase.

“The rail corridor provides a unique opportunity to support the modern, multi-modal transportation pathway the island needs and the community deserves,” said Paige Myatt of Aquidneck Resilience.

Unlike traditional rail trails, which typically replace abandoned railroad tracks with recreational paths, the proposed Aquidneck Island route would run alongside an active railroad.

The Newport & Narragansett Bay Railroad currently operates dinner trains and specialty excursions along the corridor, while Rail Explorers offers pedal-powered rail bike excursions.

Both the railroad and the proposed trail would share the corridor.

“We’re excited to see this long-standing vision move into the design phase,” said Eric Moffett of the Newport & Narragansett Bay Railroad. “The key is to preserve the Newport Secondary as a working railroad while creating space for people to walk and bike safely alongside it.”

Moffett said the two uses could complement each other.

“Done right, the trail and the railroad can strengthen one another and give Aquidneck Island more transportation choices,” he said. “It's a community effort and we're proud to be a part of it.”

Public invited to weigh in

Residents will have two opportunities in the coming weeks to learn more about the proposal and offer their initial thoughts.

The first is an open house on Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Innovate Newport, 513 Broadway, Newport.

The event will feature a brief presentation involving engineering consultants, opportunities for public input and a family-friendly art activity. Registration is available at tinyurl.com/rwt-openhouse.

A second event will offer residents a chance to experience the proposed route firsthand.

On Sunday, Nov. 1, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., the Newport & Narragansett Bay Railroad will host a family-friendly train ride departing from 1 Alexander Road in Portsmouth. Participants will be able to see the rail corridor and envision what a shared-use path might look like alongside it.

Registration is required at tinyurl.com/rwt-trainride.

Design work underway

Following a competitive selection process, Pare Corporation and the Horsley Witten Group were chosen to develop initial designs for the trail.

The work will include community engagement and coordination with the railroad, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and the towns of Portsmouth and Middletown.

Funding for the current phase is being provided by the van Beuren Charitable Foundation, with additional philanthropic support, including Prince Charitable Trusts.

Aquidneck Resilience, which is leading the effort, is a collaboration among Portsmouth, Middletown, Newport and the Navy. Hosted by the Aquidneck Island Land Trust, the organization works with community partners on island-wide climate and resilience initiatives.

The working group also includes the Land Trust, Bike Newport and Green Street Associates.

Although the project has entered the design phase, organizers have not announced a construction timetable or an estimated total cost.

The proposed trail would add to an expanding network of walking and biking routes on Aquidneck Island, including the Land Trust's 11-mile Sakonnet Greenway Trail and the newer shared-use path connecting Newport and Middletown.

For more information, visit aquidneckresilience.org/rail-with-trail.