East Matunuck State Beach Parking Lot Reopening Temporarily Next Month

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI — The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) said it will temporarily reopen the entrance to the parking lot at East Matunuck State Beach in South Kingstown to the public beginning Dec. 15.

The reopening marks a pause in an improvement project to construct a new entry lane to enable quicker access to the parking lot and help alleviate traffic congestion on Succotash Road during the summer months. The project also includes moving the existing underground utilities, constructing new booths, installing curbing, and laying new pavement.

The work at the entry will be paused for the winter, although other stormwater management work at East Matunuck State Beach in other parts of the parking lot will continue, state officials said. Work to complete the new entry lane will resume in Spring 2023, officials said.

"We are excited for the new entranceway to East Matunuck State Beach to be completed, so beach goers can wait less and get to the beach more quickly," said DEM Deputy Director Jason McNamee. "As is the case with any roadway construction project, there were inconveniences — these are often unavoidable if you want to make significant improvements, but hopefully the new entrance will be worth these temporary disruptions. We regret those inconveniences, and we appreciate the public's understanding and patience while building a more effective East Matunuck entry for everyone."

While the project was initially supposed to be completed this fall, on-site conditions, such as previously unknown underground utilities, resulted in a later completion date, state officials said. Additionally, DEM permit requirements identified additional stormwater management needs at the site.

DEM officials said the work will continue over the winter at an area of the lot away from the entry point. While this area of the lot will remain closed to the public, DEM will continue coordinating with the contractor to ensure public access to the parking lot will be available during the pause on work to the entry lane.

According to the DEM's Division of Parks and Recreation statistics, more than 50,000 vehicles paid for parking spaces, with an estimated 170,000 beach goers visiting East Matunuck during each of the past two summers. The roughly $700,000 project is being financed by state capital funds and money raised by the 2021 green economy bond.