Rhode Island's Attorney General, Peter Neronha, has initiated a criminal investigation into the dramatic collapse of a section of Newport's famed Cliff Walk in March 2022. The probe will scrutinise whether property owners adjacent to the collapsed section failed to take necessary measures to prevent the disaster.
The historic pathway, a major tourist attraction offering stunning ocean vistas, was severely damaged when a segment gave way beneath a private property's retaining wall. This incident forced the closure of a large portion of the walk for over a year, dealing a significant blow to local tourism.
Scrutinising Private Property Responsibilities
Attorney General Neronha's office is now examining if the adjacent landowners neglected their duty to maintain the structural integrity of their sea walls and foundations, which directly support the public walkway. The investigation will determine if this alleged negligence rises to the level of a criminal offence under state law.
"The focus of the investigation is to ascertain whether there was criminal culpability on the part of any property owner(s) for the collapse," a spokesperson for the Attorney General's office confirmed. This move signals a more aggressive approach to holding private entities accountable for infrastructure that impacts public safety.
A Long Road to Reconstruction
The collapse triggered a complex and costly $8.4 million reconstruction project, funded by the state and federal emergency relief. Engineers faced the immense challenge of stabilising the unstable cliffside and designing a new, resilient structure capable of withstanding the coastal elements.
After extensive repairs, the iconic 3.5-mile path finally reopened to the public in May 2023, much to the relief of residents and business owners who depend on the foot traffic it generates.
A Message of Accountability
This criminal investigation sends a clear message about the seriousness with which the state is treating the incident. It moves beyond civil liability and into the realm of potential criminal penalties, highlighting the legal obligations property owners have when their land supports critical public infrastructure.
The outcome of this probe could set a significant precedent for how similar cases involving public-private infrastructure are handled in coastal communities across New England and beyond.
