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A Timeline of Corn Neck Road
Corn Neck Road: the history, present and possibilities for the future
In recent years, Corn Neck Road has been a hot bed of research, projects and focus
This timeline serves as a tool to remind us of the history of Corn Neck Road and its vulnerabilities, as well as the continued effort of the Town of New Shoreham and partners to build this crucial road's resilience. It offers a look into the possibilities of the future of Corn Neck Road and steps to take to keep the road and the surrounding areas
*to see the road as part of the bigger ecosystem of BI, see the role of the CRC as educating the public about why this matters, designing for a positive future within this ecosystem*
1873-1930
Construction of Old Harbor Breakwater and Corn Neck Road
In 1873 the federal government completed construction of the Old Harbor breakwater on the island’s southeast side. This long rock jetty that extends northward into the ocean provided much needed improved harbor facilities for the island. It is estimated that Corn Neck Road was paved in the 1930s after existing as a dirt road for some time.
August 1954
Hurricane Carol Damages Corn Neck Road
Starr Family pic of cleaning up corn neck after carol
While Hurricane Carol caused significant damage to Corn Neck Road, other hurricanes and storms throughout history have exposed this stretch as one of the most vulnerable spots on Block Island.
1972
Elevation of Corn Neck Rd
In 1972 Corn Neck Road was elevated to protect it from being inundated by ocean waves during Nor’easters. Of particular concern were the areas behind the Town Beach Pavilion and at the entrance to Scotch Beach (from corn neck rd transportation study)
*can't find as much info on this or pictures*
October 2012
Corn Neck Road Damaged in Superstorm Sandy
During Superstorm Sandy in late October 2012, Corn Neck Rd was significantly damaged for a length of 1,800 feet, isolating one business and restricting access to a number of residences. Residents were forced to use an alternate route until clean-up and repairs were made.
December 2012
Corn Neck Road Repaired after Damage from Superstorm Sandy
In the months following Superstorm Sandy, this section of Corn Neck Rd was reconstructed with emergency funding and engineering design services provided by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT).
As detailed in the Corn Neck Road Transportation Resiliency Study (2013), "the following summarizes the repairs done by RIDOT, the Town of New Shoreham, and volunteers:
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Repaired 1,800 linear feet. Cost: $1,749,000 (including initial dune plantings and rip rap). Paid for with FEMA emergency disaster funds.
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Road was not improved, just rebuilt to its previous elevation/location.
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$36,000 spent in dune grass plugs along the 1,800-foot area after initial planting washed away.
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Although repairs were managed at the State level, approximately 100 local Department of Public Works (DPW) man hours were spent hauling sand, raking, planting, and watering along the newly built revetment.
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Many school kids and residents volunteered their time to stabilize the dunes with dune grass plantings.
Early 2013-Present
Ongoing Community-Led Beach Profiling and Dune Monitoring begins
info about beach profiling, lidar data, dune monitoring by camera
August 2013 Block Island Harbors Sea Level Rise Adaptation Study highlights Corn Neck Road vulnerabilities
This study ___
Key Recommendations from that study include...
The study can be read in full here.
2016
Town of New Shoreham focuses on Corn Neck Road improvement in Comprehensive Plan goals
Goals related to Corn Neck Road and surrounding areas set by the town in the 2016 Comprehensive Plan are as follows:
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TI.H: Consider natural hazards including flooding and sea-level rise when making transportation investment decisions
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TI.H.2: Conduct a planning study of Corn Neck Road to identify alternatives to mitigate future impacts from storms and climate change (short term, completed in 2017, see below)
The full comprehensive plan can be read here.
December 2017
Town of New Shoreham invests in Corn Neck Road: Transportation Resiliency Planning Study
In October 2016, the Town was awarded CDBG-DR funds to explore alternatives for Corn Neck Road. With these funds, the Town hired VHB to evaluate available data, engage with the public and develop the Planning Study. The purpose of this Planning Study was to identify a range of potential alternatives for post-disaster repairs of Corn Neck Road to better mitigate future impacts from storm surge and sea level rise.
Key Recommendations from that study include...
The study can be read in full here.
2021
Municipal Resilience Program emphasizes Corn Neck Road area as priority
Suggestions from that related to Corn Neck are as follows:
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Continue to advance the Corn Neck Road Transportation Resiliency Planning study (2017)
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In reference to Town Beach Pavilion, install temporary structures that could be moved during storm events (instead of permanent structures including bathrooms and showers once current structure gets damaged again)
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Explore opportunities to reduce the vulnerability of Scotch Beach area including elevation of amenities to let tides and surge go under
identifying funds/grants that would eventually lead to current GZA project?
Summer 2024
Coastal Resilience Committee Community Engagement event emphasizes public concern over Corn Neck Rd area
COMM ENGAGEMENT FROM CRC , actions and priority building
Winter 2024
Strong Storms continue to batter Corn Neck Road and surrounding areas
Images from recent storms - Carousel
2025
Town of New Shoreham continues to set hazard management goals around Corn Neck in the HM&FMP
The town emphasized their focus on improving the resilience of Corn Neck Road in the most recent Hazard Mitigation and Flood Management Plan.
Action 2025-G details the goal of "focusing on a dune restoration along eastern side of Corn Neck Rd, to reduce flooding and damage occurrences during and following storm events. Strategies to investigate include enhancing dune through revegetation, elevating salt marsh habitat through thin layer deposition, and/or absorbing strong wave energy by installing near-shore reef systems."
The study can be read in full here.
2025
Start of current corn neck project
info about how GZA work came to be/$$$
*additional points on timeline:
annette grilli modeling
kim beach grass with students
Aug 2025 public CRC event
marsh health on west side
May 2025:
GZA conducts Vulnerability Assessment and identifies Priority Areas of Corn Neck Road
talk more about GZA vulnerability analysis, explain image, link to website
Bathtub Sea Level Rise and Storm Surge Modeling
GZA completed
Fall 2025: Presentation of Solutions
The images below are from GZA's Master Plan which details this phase of improvements to specifically the parking lots (at Town Beach and Scotch Beach) and the dune paths between Town and Scotch Beach. The images below are both examples of tactics employed and proposed concepts of these sites.
While not addressed in Phase 1 of the Corn Neck Improvement Project, residents as well as area researchers recognize the concerns surrounding the Town Beach Pavilion. Dunes are our natural and effective barriers against the storm surge and ____
*maybe a