Pawtucket's Green & Complete Streets
SNEP
Pawtucket's Green & Complete Streets Project is on track as a local example of the Watershed Grant
Program's emphasis on critical partnerships and integrated restoration. Partnering with the
Narragansett Bay Commission, the City was awarded more than $376,000 to implement Green
Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) as part of a larger transportation effort coordinated with the projected
2021 arrival of a new commuter rail and bus transit hub and the development of a transit-oriented
urban district. In addition to the economic benefits expected from the new hub, the installation of the
green streets elements wiil help restore water quality to the Blackstone River and Narragansett Bay.
At present, more than 86% of the City's land is impervious
cover and its combined sewer system experiences
frequent overflows due to excess stormwater inundation.
To counteract these problems, the Green & Complete
Streets Project will implement at least four unique GSI
features to disconnect stormwater from the sewer system
while also advancing multimodal (walking, biking, transit,
automobile) transportation access. Preliminary designs
include porous pavers, on-street rain gardens, and
bioretention planters in pocket parks and along walkways
to separate pedestrians and cyclists from vehicular traffic.
An innovative feature will be the incorporation of so-
called "silva cells," or modular pavement systems
containing unlimited amounts of healthy soil beneath
paving while supporting traffic loads and accommodating
surrounding utilities. In addition to enhancing tree cover,
the cells will help manage the rate, quality and volume of
stormwater and contribute to the health and aesthetic
values of the neighborhood.
BMP
Photo Credit: City of Pavvtucket
Limited information regarding maintenance requirements and associated costs has historically fueled
reluctance to implement GSI features in neighboring municipalities. To maximize the transferability of
the present project, the Pawtucket DPW will develop a report to serve as a resource for municipal
operations managers, engineers, and staff. It will also produce a set of instructional videos to
demonstrate maintenance activities as an educational resource for future DPW staff.
In a Pawtucket press release, Mayor Donald R. Grebien stated "the Green & Complete Streets Project
funded by this program will add green infrastructure and complete street design elements in a highly
urbanized area that is expected to undergo substantial redevelopment in the next ten years."
Please direct any questions to Thomas Ardito (401-575-6109; tardito(a>estuaries.org) or Dave Kurowski
(401-728-0500 x279; dkurowski@pawtucketri. com)
Southeast New England Program
www.epa.gov/snecwrp

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