Shift of Providence Port to Quonset proposed: Weygand urges high-tech. Licht prefers port.(Brief Article)

U.S. Congressman Robert Weygand would prefer that the state focus its efforts at Quonset Point/Davisville on the development of a high technology park, rather than a major shipping port.

But his political opponent for the U.S. Senate, former Lieutenant Gov. Richard Licht, believes a shipping port -- at least one that does not harm Narragansett Bay -- represents the best use of Quonset Point/Davisville.

Weygand said emphasis should first be placed on improving the infrastructure -- specifically, the roadway connecting Quonset/Davisville to Route 4. Weygand expressed concern about how slowly the project was progressing, maintaining the state has received sufficient federal funds to begin the project. Once the highway is completed -- which Weygand fears could be eight years away -- the state should be able to attract the kind of high technology companies that would bring high paying jobs to the facility, Weygand said.

Weygand is convinced that …