Office of the Mayor

WOONSOCKET, RHODE ISLAND

Mayor Baldelli-Hunt Announces Award of $500K SNEP Grant for Truman Drive Green Infrastructure Parkway Construction

WOONSOCKET, R.I.: Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt today announced that the City of Woonsocket was awarded a $500,000 Southeast New England Program (SNEP) Watershed Implementation Grant for the ‘Truman Drive Green Infrastructure Parkway Construction Project’.

The Truman Drive Project builds upon a 2021 engineering and feasibility assessment award from the Thundermist Task Force, and a study by engineers Fuss and O’Neill. It includes converting the roadway into a 2-lane road, creating a linear park, which will run along the recreational bikeway, and adding benches, plants, and trees is also part of the project. The project’s reduction in impervious structures and increase in greenery will enhance the conditions of the Blackstone River and improve resilience to flash flooding. The linear park will also provide an improved scenery for visitors traveling by foot, bicycle, or motor vehicle.

Mayor Baldelli-Hunt stated, "I am excited about this grant award because it will help move our Truman Drive Project forward to protect our watershed environment while expanding recreation opportunities for residents and visitors and enhancing the area’s aesthetics." The Mayor added, "I want to thank Senators Reed and Whitehouse for their support in securing this funding for Woonsocket, and a special thanks to Planning and Development Director Michael Debroisse for guiding his team to another successful grant award."

Director Debroisse stated, "This is an important grant for the City of Woonsocket to receive because it will help manage stormwater, reduce pollution, and improve the quality of life for our residents and visitors. Our entire department worked on this competitive grant and deserves the credit for winning it."