Westborough Awarded $41K In Culvert Replacement Project Grant

WESTBOROUGH, MA — Westborough was one of 12 municipalities in the Commonwealth to receive funding from the state for a culvert replacement project.

Westborough was awarded $41,750 to conduct field data collection and analysis for the replacement of a culvert on Jackstraw Brook, which is one of the major streams that drains to the Cedar Swamp Area of Critical Environmental Concern. Upgrading this culvert will benefit the community by reducing flood risk, improving climate resilience, and reconnecting fish and wildlife passage in a coldwater fishery.

Gov. Charlie Baker also announced the release of a report titled, “Recommendations for Improving the Efficiency of Culvert and Small Bridge Replacement Projects,” prepared by the Massachusetts Culverts and Small Bridges Working Group. The report highlights the safety and environmental challenges presented by over 25,000 road stream crossings across the state and the need for funding and technical assistance for municipalities and partners to address these issues. It also provides recommendations to address the barriers faced by municipalities to implementing this work. The grants and report were announced as part of the Baker-Polito Administration’s celebration of Climate Week in the Commonwealth.

“As climate change brings fiercer storms and increased rainfall to the Commonwealth, the safety issues surrounding undersized culverts become more urgent and apparent,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Replacing this aging infrastructure is critical to ensure the resilience of our communities and natural resources, and the availability of resources like this report and these grant awards is vital for driving this important work forward.”