Last-minute snags cause delay in East Providence State Street/Runnins River culvert project

Paving, aeration system installation on target to be completed shortly

By Mike Rego
Posted 10/18/18

EAST PROVIDENCE — The State Street/Runnins River Culvert Project, seemingly on track to be completed by this time, has been beset by delays and will not be undertaken likely until the summer of …

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Last-minute snags cause delay in East Providence State Street/Runnins River culvert project

Paving, aeration system installation on target to be completed shortly

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — The State Street/Runnins River Culvert Project, seemingly on track to be completed by this time, has been beset by delays and will not be undertaken likely until the summer of 2019.
At the Tuesday, Oct. 16, meeting of the City Council, Department of Public Works Director Steve Coutu provided an update on the status of project, which was originally set to commence in August.
Mr. Coutu said some last-minute concerns from officials in neighboring Seekonk, where the two new culverts will be situated, led to the postponement of the effort and curtail it from being done this calendar year. The flow level of the river and the water table in the fall are significantly higher as opposed to the so-called “low season” in the summer months.
Mr. Coutu described the situation as “ frustrating” during his meeting remarks. He noted DPW has been attempting to remedy the matter since about 2005. Mr. Coutu said diverging opinions on certain issues between the city’s representatives, the environmental consulting firm of Woodard & Curran, and Greenman-Pedersen Inc., the advisor hired by the Seekonk DPW, also played a role in hindering the project.
The director was providing the update at the request of Ward 2 Councilor Anna Sousa, in whose district the project will take place. Ms. Sousa, adamant in her remarks that she could have helped move the project along if properly made aware of the situation throughout the process, said all she and residents of the State Street neighborhood are seeking is a final fix to the flash flooding that occurs there following significant rainfall.
In a follow-up interview, Mr. Coutu lamented what he termed as “last-second conditions” placed on the city by administrators in Seekonk. Among the matters creating their unease were the hydraulic analysis of the site and making sure design elements satisfied any potential downstream impact the new culverts may create in the town.
Mr. Coutu said some lingering legal items, like coming to a maintenance agreement, and other minor design changes were agreed upon. However, despite what the director said was continuous “back-and-forth communications” between the respective engineering firms representing the municipalities, some other technical issues weren’t fully resolved in time.
“They were valid concerns,” Mr. Coutu said. “I just wish we had known about them earlier.”
He continued, “To do the project now is too late. We’re going to have to wait until next summer during the low flow period. Environmentally and construction-wise, July and August is the ideal time to do it.”
The design of the new culverts was completed late last spring and contractor J.H. Lynch & Sons was subsequently hired to perform the work. A significant alteration to the original concept was placing both structures in Seekonk, rather than having one there and the other in East Providence.
Because the land is located on the state line with Massachusetts at Seekonk, the design also had be presented to the Seekonk Conversation Commission, which, after holding multiple meetings, ultimately signed off on the project several weeks ago.
The plan also needed and received approval from the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Departments of Transportation because of its impact on traffic patterns. In addition, the project included the eradication of invasive species, which needed and got permitting from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.
“It’s odd because both of the culverts are now situated in Seekonk, but it’s an East Providence project that will mostly benefit East Providence residents, but it’s mostly Rhode Island DEM approved though almost all of the work will be done on the Seekonk side," Mr. Coutu added.
Besides the new potential timetable, Ms. Sousa worried the city could lose grant funding for the project. Mr. Coutu, however, said the monies are available through the end of 2019. The permits, as well, remain valid through the same period.
The city was originally awarded up to $544,025 from the RIDEM for the “Runnins River Flood Prevention & Mitigation Project” back in late 2017. The scope of the project is to reduce flooding in the State Street neighborhood through a combination of phragmites removal, improved culverts and pavement removal. The money came from DEM’s Flood Mitigation and Prevention Sub-Fund. The main component is the installation of a pair of 6-foot x 8-foot box culverts. The single existing culvert is undersized and unable to assist with proper drainage in the area.
Paving update
Mr. Coutu said Lynch, which is also contracted to do the work, is nearing completion of 2018 road paving list initiated in June. The director said the entire list of 26 roadways, either partially or completely repaved, will soon be wrapping up for the season.
Aeration system
The installation of an aeration system in the new 8 million gallon tank at the Kent Heights site is also expected to be completed before the winter, Mr. Coutu said.
The council earlier this year approved appropriating up to $2 million in funding from the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank for the project, which should significantly reduce the presence of levels of Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) in the city’s water system and end the frequent, though mandatory, notifications delivered to residents based on Rhode Island Department of Health guidelines.

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MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.