Tanyard Brook has been a source of neighborhood flooding for decades.
When the 4,500-foot culvert was originally designed and constructed before the 1960s, Tanyard Brook was intended to handle runoff from a 10-year storm event. Since then, the town has grown and buildings and concrete surfaces have replaced woodlands that helped minimize runoff.

The clogged and collapsed culvert was susceptible to flooding during heavy rain events, but over the past decade, Community Development Director Diane Williamson has been working at remedying this long-standing problem.

Phase 1 of the project corrected the outflow into Walker’s Cove with a tide gate to allow for the release of storm water when necessary. Phase 2 of the project impacted the north side of Garfield Avenue to Richmond Street.

Now phase 3, from Richmond Street to the reservoir on State Street, will complete the project. Phase 3 is expected to cost about $3.8 million, with half of that coming from federal funds and the remainder from a local bond.

Once that part is completed there will be one final task: tying the drainage from Reservoir Drive into the Tanyard Brook culvert via the Department of Public Works property on Mt. Hope Ave. That should ease flooding issues once and for all in that neighborhood, which has been underwater following heavy rains for as long as residents can remember.

“This has been an issue for many years, 80 plus years, where heavy rain events creates serious conditions,” said Town Administrator Steven Contente at last Wednesday’s groundbreaking ceremony. “We’re pleased to finally get this behind us.”

Work should be complete by April 2023.

Citing positive outcomes with earlier phases, Contente said, “I think these residents are going to be very pleased.”

“My biggest thanks goes out to Diane Williamson. She really rolled up her sleeves and got this done.”