With the "Broken Bridge" all but finally fixed and already being used by pedestrians and bicyclists, the town council briefly discussed what would be the last piece to solve the long-worked on puzzle at its January 13 meeting.

Brought to the floor by Council President Joseph DePasquale, the body talked about how the town can go about finding the means to fund the so-called "northern spur," an approximately quarter-mile stretch to link the East Bay Bike Path from the bridge to Metacom Avenue.

DePasquale said with a new interim Department of Public Works director in place, Mary Hunt, and with the experience of Parks and Recreation Department Director Tara Thibaudeau now working in concert, the hope is the duo can find the necessary monies.

DePasquale said they along with along with Town Manager Brian Sullivan and Town Solicitor Anthony DeSisto could seek out the input of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, which operates the bike path, for how to go about getting the funds.

The council eventually unanimously approved a motion for the town officials, under the auspices of Sullivan, to initiate the process.

The president also referred to the lawsuit filed nearly a quarter century ago over right-of-way authority, which has hindered the spur's completion.

"I'd really like to get an answer because it's the reason that it was excluded was the 23 years of the lawsuit that prevented that job from being completed," DePasquale said. "Twenty-three years ago has brought us to where we are today. And that section was chopped out, like it never existed. The new contract was just for the bridge, and we do have a bridge to Barker Avenue, and I want to bring it, hopefully to Metacom Avenue, and when they get there, push to the button and cross the street or go wherever they want."

DePasquale said the town, as well, was rebuffed as recently as about 15 years ago when there was an attempt to construct the spur.

"They were looking for alternative routes and they kept arguing that we couldn't bring a bike path to Metacom Avenue," he added. "Well, it's legal to ride a bike up Vernon and up Franklin (streets), and it's legal to ride a bike on Libby Lane, and you use the cross walk that's there. So until somebody tells me you can't ride a bike over there, it shouldn't be a reason for us not getting the connectivity we need from that bridge to Metacom Avenue."

RIDEM was responsible for the reconstruction of the Broken Bridge, which was destroyed more than 80 years ago during the Hurricane of 1938 and left derelict until only a few years ago.

The initial funding source to rebuild the bridge came a federal "Safe Routes to School" grant during the Biden Administration, which would connect residents west-to-east leading to both the Kickemuit Middle School and the Hugh Cole Elementary School. The $5.85 million effort began in 2021 and brought to near full completion late last year.

"If the answer comes back, that we can't do it, we can't do it. I do think that a place exists, and I know Ms. Thibaudeau is proficient in her abilities to figure out if something can or can't be done without much effort, and then the effort begins."

Asked if there was a defined extension route in place by Councilor Louis Rego utilizing the old railroad tracks as much of the bike path has, DePaquale said there was. It would follow the tracks at Metacom between the 426 Fitness Center and Dollar General store.

"What was done at the time, there was development that was allowed on a right-of-way that was purchased by a developer in town. When that development process was in the planning board and zoning board, a section of that land 20-feet wide, whatever the minimum, was given at the time. It's in the rulings. It's there and exists. So the right-of-way is there, but it's going to need the money and it brings you to Metacom Avenue," said DePasquale.

DePasquale concluded the discussion by urging those involved to maintain as much of the existing landscape as possible as the extension project progresses.

"I hope they leave some of the giant trees that are in there," he added. "There are some real big trees, and I'd like to see it a zigzag and keep the neatness of that area, because it's really shaded."