The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank has awarded nearly $1.1 million in grants to 10 communities, including three in Newport County and the Islands, to design and engineer systems aimed at reducing flooding from increasingly intense storms.
The bank awarded a total of $1,095,800 to Bristol, Coventry, East Greenwich, Hopkinton, Jamestown, Middletown, New Shoreham, Pawtucket, Providence and West Warwick. The money comes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grants program, which funds planning, design and construction of stormwater infrastructure.
Middletown received the largest single award, $135,000, for stormwater improvements at the intersection of Johnny Cake Hill Road and John Clarke Road, upgradient of Green End Pond. The plan calls for water quality swales with check dams and flush curbs, along with new bioretention basins on the west side of John Clarke Road to increase treatment and infiltration before stormwater leaves the system.
Jamestown was awarded $115,000 to address runoff at the Freebody Drive parking area overlooking Potter’s Cove, where the lot suffers erosion from both stormwater and foot traffic. The project includes a new timber guardrail, a grass channel and energy dissipator, and a restored rip-rap revetment for structural support and erosion protection.
New Shoreham, on Block Island, also received $115,000 for design work on West Beach Road, which floods and ponds due to runoff from the town transfer station and the upper portion of the road, blocking beach access and causing erosion. The plan proposes a grass channel and bioretention basin, a reinforced gravel surface, and a water bar with a level spreader.
“Cities and towns across Rhode Island are experiencing more frequent and intense flooding events that are impacting roads, homes, businesses, and municipal operations,” said William Fazioli, executive director of the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank. “Rhode Island’s aging stormwater infrastructure wasn’t built for today’s rainfall patterns, and municipalities often lack the upfront money for engineering work.”
Other awards went to Coventry ($120,000), East Greenwich ($115,000), Pawtucket ($115,000), Providence ($112,800), Hopkinton ($100,000), West Warwick ($98,000) and Bristol ($70,000) for a range of projects involving bioretention basins, tree filters, swales and reduced impervious surfaces.
The Infrastructure Bank describes itself as the state’s central hub for financing infrastructure improvements for municipalities, businesses and homeowners.
