Construction has kicked off for the final phase of the Narragansett Bay Commission’s (NBC) Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Program, which is expected to reduce overflow volumes by 98 percent and treat stormwater before it flows into the Narragansett Bay.
The program will also reduce the closure frequency of shellfish beds in the bay, which has had a major economic impact on the community. Stantec, supported by teaming partner Pare Corporation, is serving as the lead designer and program manager for Phase III of the project.
Phase III involves the construction of the Pawtucket Tunnel, a 2.2-mile long, 30-foot diameter tunnel running underneath the communities of Pawtucket and Central Falls. Located at depth ranges of 115- to 155-feet below grade, the tunnel is designed to store 58.5 million gallons of combined sewer overflows. The CSO Program’s first phase kicked off in 2001 with the construction of a three-mile long, 26-foot wide deep-rock tunnel under Providence to store stormwater runoff. Phase II, completed in 2015, added CSO interceptors to the Providence Tunnel, several sewer separation projects, and a wetlands storage facility.
The project’s design-builder is CB3A, a joint venture comprised of CBNA, a U.S.-based subsidiary of French construction engineering firm Bouygues Travaux Publics, and local civil works contractor Barletta Heavy Division, in association with designer AECOM. Notice to proceed has been granted under a design-build contract worth $450 million.
Narragansett Bay Commission Chairman, Vincent J. Mesolella said: “We are so looking forward to breaking ground on this critical clean water project next month, the largest single public works project in the State of Rhode Island and one that will greatly enhance our urban communities and Narragansett Bay as a whole. Because of this project, the next generation of Rhode Islanders will only ever know a clean bay and vibrant urban rivers. We value our relationship with Stantec and CB3A; we know they take issues of ratepayer affordability seriously and we appreciate the work they are doing with us to approach the dual goals of environmental and fiduciary excellence.”
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