House passes bill for Worcester sewer improvements
City leaders celebrated the passage of a bill by the Massachusetts House on Wednesday that includes $7 million to expand sewer infrastructure along the Route 20 corridor in Worcester.
The money is included in the Environmental Bond Bill, which is designed to improve and preserve land, parks and clean energy in the state. Rep. Daniel Donahue, D-Worcester, said in a statement that funding will provide “immense environmental (and) operational benefits while fostering economic growth” along the Route 20 corridor and the city.
“I fought for this money because I know the Route 20 project has been a priority for business owners and all Worcester residents alike for years,” Donahue said Wednesday, upon passage of the bill.
The bill must receive approval from the Senate before it can be sent to Gov. Deval Patrick. If approved, the $7 million will be expended as a matching grant from the city to reconstruct the Whitla Drive sewer pumping station and extend the capacity of the sewer system in the Route 20 corridor to the regional wastewater treatment facility.
According to Donahue, who worked with a local task force on the project, the proposed sewer extension will generate significant opportunity for economic growth and redevelopment of the area.
City Manager Edward Augustus in a statement thanked Donahue, state Sen. Michael Moore, D-Millbury, and city officials for promoting the project.
“Route 20 is one of the last frontiers for development in … Worcester, and this funding will help us deliver on its economic promise,” August said.
The project is also expected to relieve weather capacity concerns in existing sewage facilities, which are at risk for overflows that may impact nearby water sources, such as Lake Quinsigamond, according to Donahue’s office. Under the proposed project, some of the sewage would be transferred to the new Route 20 system.
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