ASHBURNHAM — The Town of Ashburnham has been awarded $375,000 through the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) Stream Continuity Program to replace a deteriorating culvert on East Rindge Road over the Bluefield Brook. According to state officials, the existing culvert blocks fish and wildlife passage and poses a flooding risk during extreme weather. The project aims to enhance wildlife habitats, mitigate flooding risks, and serve as a training model for other municipalities throughout the Commonwealth.
A culvert is a structure that allows water to flow under roads, railways, or other barriers. Many of Massachusetts’ 25,000 culverts are outdated, undersized, or corroded, creating barriers for fish and wildlife and posing flooding hazards during extreme weather. The funding will support construction to replace the degraded culvert with a properly-sized structure that meets Massachusetts Stream Crossing Standards.
“This culvert replacement project will restore habitat for fish and wildlife and improve climate resilience for the Town of Ashburnham,” DER Director Beth Lambert said in a statement. “In addition, the project will serve as a case study to help train other municipalities to carry out this important work.”
The initiative is part of DER’s Culvert Replacement Training Site Initiative, which aims to develop a network of road managers with expertise in implementing modern culvert replacements. As part of the project, Ashburnham will host on-site training sessions for local roadway managers, teaching them how to assess, plan, and execute similar projects.
“This funding advances the Town of Ashburnham’s efforts to replace a corroded and flood-prone culvert that is a barrier to fish and wildlife passage,” said DER Stream Continuity Program Manager Holden Sparacino. “Replacing the culvert will reconnect two priority habitat areas, including Ashburnham State Forest, and reduce flooding risk.”
State officials expressed their support for the project, emphasizing its importance for rural communities.
“I am grateful to the Division of Ecological Restoration for selecting Ashburnham to receive grant funding to assist with a culvert replacement,” said State Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “Culvert maintenance is absolutely key to climate resilience. This funding will go a long way to support Ashburnham’s critical project on East Rindge Road.”
“These projects are extremely important to rural communities throughout the Commonwealth,” added State Representative Jonathan Zlotnik (D-2nd Worcester). “They help build resilient and effective infrastructure that aligns with current standards and helps to maintain the present ecosystems.”
The project is expected to address critical public safety and ecological challenges while providing a valuable educational opportunity for other municipalities seeking to modernize their infrastructure.