Construction Underway to Replace Charlestown Breachway Boat Ramp

CHARLESTOWN, RI — Construction is underway to fix the boat ramp at the Quonochontaug, or Quonnie, Breachway in Charlestown. Once complete, it will allow boaters and anglers better access to salt ponds along the coast, which are popular for boating fishing and other public recreation.

The current boat ramp will be torn out and replaced with a new, 24-foot-wide concrete ramp. In addition, crews will install a six-foot-wide floating dock with cleats and rub rails that boaters can tie up to when launching or returning to their boat. During the reconstruction, the ramp will be turned to face north-south so that boaters will no longer have to fight the strong currents in the breachway when launching.

"Increasing access to outdoor recreation in Rhode Island is a top priority of DEM," said DEM Director Janet Coit. "Working with strong partners such as The Nature Conservancy to invest in providing better recreation opportunities to fishers, boaters, and paddlers at Quonnie – one of our state's true treasures – will allow more people to connect with nature. This is a rewarding project that we are excited to announce."

The old boat ramp was installed at 1971. The original boat ramp slabs will be taken out during construction and replaced with large, flat stones, creating a new fishing area. Construction of the new ramp is expected to be finished by April 30, with the dock project scheduled to be complete by next fall, the department said.

As part of the project, the Department of Environmental Management hopes to receive the needed permit to finish stabilizing the shoreline to help protect the parking lot from erosion.

The boat ramp will be closed throughout the replacement project, and access to West Beach Road will be limited during construction hours.