Marion, Mattapoisett to receive coastal resiliency funding

Aug 16, 2021

Marion and Mattapoisett will receive state money to fund coastal resiliency projects, to the tune of over $300,000.

Gov. Charlie Baker announced on Aug. 16 that his administration would invest $4 million into state coastal resiliency projects, including three projects between Marion and Mattapoisett.

Marion will receive $148,500 for improvements to the Front St. pump station. With the funds, the town will conduct preliminary design work of additional flood protection measures at the pump station, evaluate the sewer force main pipe that carries flow from the pump station to the Marion Water Pollution Control Facility, and design, bid and construct a bypass connection in the event of a pump station failure.

Mattapoisett will receive funding for two projects: Reopening Old Slough Rd. for emergencies and permitting and design for a sewer main replacement.

The town will receive $29,400 to complete engineering design and survey work to reopen Old Slough Road as an emergency access route for vehicles traveling to and from the Point Connett and Angelica Point communities, which are currently accessed by a low-lying roadway that is vulnerable to coastal storm and sea level rise impacts.

The town will also receive $158,765 complete permitting and final design for the Eel Pond Sewer Force Main Replacement Project along the barrier beach and under the West Channel. The preferred approach for the new force main route is to use horizontal directional drilling to install the force main deeper and farther from the ocean than the existing force main to protect the main from flooding, erosion and beach migration over the design life.

“Climate change presents challenges for Massachusetts coastal communities, which face increasing storm damage and flooding risks during high tides and coastal storms,” said Baker. “Our administration remains committed to providing necessary financial and technical support to proactively protect coastal infrastructure from these increasing threats, which is why we have proposed nearly $1 billion in funding for critical environmental initiatives like climate resilient infrastructure through our federal ARPA spending plan.”