Tanyard Brook Culvert Project Recieves Grant

After years of looking for funds, it appears the Tanyard Brook Culvert Replacement Project may have just found them.

Diane Williamson, the Director for Community Development in Bristol, announced the town is set to recieve roughly $1.1 million in grants to complete the project during the town council meeting on Wednesday, July 27. The project looks to replace the current channel with a concrete box culvert, from the Outfall at Walker's Cove to just north of Garfield Street in Bristol. The new culvert is expected to increase capacity, to prevent flooding during more frequent storms, which has been an ongoing issue the town has had with the current culvert.

Williamson expects most of the work for the project to take place starting April 2012, as the project can't start until environmental reviews take place, which "set the calendar back" on construction. Restrictions from Rhode Islands Department of Environmental management also dictate that construction be "through" the wetlands by October.

The Project began in 2001 with a watershed study, which led to design, permitting, and a bond which successfully passed in 2006. The Department for Community Development had been continually exploring grant opportunities since then.

Williamson expects the project to take roughly 18 months long, and should be finished in October of 2013. More information about the project can be found on the town website here.