BURRILLVILLE – While the funding will fall short of what is required to complete the much-needed project, the effort to install sewer lines along Chapel Street has received a boost in the form of a $216,000 grant from the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank.
The grant was among 12 projects in 11 cities and towns announced this week by the bank’s board, with awards totaling $3,341,918 for the completion of what were seen as actionable, impactful projects identified through a request for proposals process. Municipal Infrastructure Grant Program awards were also announced for the communities of Bristol, Coventry, Cumberland, East Providence, Jamestown, Portsmouth, Providence, Warwick, West Warwick, and Westerly.
A review committee consisting of representatives from the Infrastructure Bank, Rhode Island Commerce, and the Division of Statewide Planning was convened to review municipal grant applications and make project award recommendations.Â
“From public park upgrades in Warwick and Providence, to stormwater improvements in East Providence, to sewer infrastructure to support housing in Cumberland, to studying drinking water needs in Jamestown, these grants will support the infrastructure needs our communities have identified as priorities,” said William Fazioli, Executive Director of Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank. Our assets are meant to be put to work to meet the infrastructure needs of our cities and towns, not accumulated. And that is exactly what we’ve done with this round of Municipal Infrastructure Grant Program awards.”
In Burrillville, funding will go toward Phase II of the Chapel Street sewer connection/river crossing project, with construction of a new 90-foot sewer line aimed at supporting residential and commercial growth. Engineering and design work needed to extend town sewer lines over the Clear River has already been completed.
The project is needed to connect several businesses along the road including the Village Oil property, where efforts are underway to open satellite locations of Fresh Pita and Brewology inside the convenience store.
But Town Planner Ray Goff told NRI NOW last month that after boring down, town officials learned that the area is filled with ledge, making the project more costly than initially anticipated. Goff said the town is exploring additional funding opportunities and that he remains hopeful work can be completed in the coming years.
Village Gas owner Zeshan Abid, meanwhile, has been working with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management in hopes to get approval to enact a temporary solution with septic holding tanks.
Additional projects approved for the recent RIIB funding incude:
$333,921 – Bristol – Burnside Street Reconstruction & Streetscape Improvements – Streetscape improvements linking the Downtown to the waterfront that includes sidewalk construction, curbing work, utility relocation, paving, and street beautification..
$131,774 – Coventry – Promoting Economic & Housing Development – Upgrades to the Woodland Manor Pump Station which include a new emergency generator.
$400,000 – Cumberland – Infrastructure Upgrades to Support Affordable Housing – Design and engineering work for replacing 2,200 feet of aging sewer lines to improve utility connections to housing and mill buildings.
$500,000 – East Providence – Greenwood Avenue Stormwater Management – Stormwater and drainage improvements along Greenwood Avenue to increase stormwater capacity and mitigate localized flooding affecting local employers and residential developments.
$112,500 – Jamestown – Public Water System Feasibility Study – A feasibility study to determine what potential additional sources could support and bolster the existing water infrastructure in Jamestown.      Â
$30,000 – Portsmouth – Elmhurst Park Parking Lot Lighting – Installation of 20 lighting fixtures in and along Elmhurst Park to support local tourism and programming in the park.
$450,000 – Providence – Cunliff Lake Boardwalk & Fishing Dock in Roger Williams Park – Construction of a boardwalk and fishing dock in Roger Williams Park to enhance access and recreational opportunities while also making investments in stormwater management to improve water quality.
$300,000 – Providence – Benton Street Development Project – Construction of sanitary sewer infrastructure along Benton Street to remove predevelopment barriers and facilitate new affordable housing.
$500,000 – Warwick – Rocky Point Park Gateways Improvement Project – Design, permitting, and construction of park improvements including vehicle egress and circulation, parking lots, new sidewalks, and stormwater management.
$66,000 – West Warwick – Linking Economic & Housing Development – Structural and surface rehabilitation work to the LaChapelle Bridge which serves as a critical connector between town offices, residential developments, and the Downtown.
$301,723 – Westerly – Margin Street Pump Station Protection – Construction of a protective wall to floodproof a pump station that services thousands of residences and businesses including those in the town’s Downtown.
