The City of Chicopee held a groundbreaking ceremony today to kick-off the infrastructure work being done in the area known as the West End Mill District. This is property consists of the former Cabotville and Dwight Manufacturing mill sites. The project is substantially funded by a $2.66 million MassWorks grant. The grant will pay for approximately 90% of the project with the remaining balance being paid by sewer and water fees. The project includes major improvements to the water main and water distribution system as well as to the sanitary sewer and sewage pumping station for this part of the city.

For the project, 4,000 linear feet of 8- and 12-inch water main pipe will be installed, 550 feet of 10- and 12-inch sanitary sewer pipe will be repaired, and 250 feet of 15-inch sanitary sewer pipe will also be installed. An existing pumping station will be removed and a new submersible pump station and back-up generator will be built.

The existing water main was constructed around 1915 and posed a risk of possible failure at any time. In addition public safety risk, given the age of the system and fire hydrants in the area, was problematical.

“This project addresses an important need in our water and sewer systems,” said Mayor Richard Kos. “I thank the Baker-Polito administration and our legislative delegation for the MassWorks grant which is paying for 90% of the improvements. We know this investment will be a catalyst for future development.”

It is anticipated that the project will be completed in Spring 2018. Tighe and Bond, Inc. is the engineer and Gardner Construction and Industrial Services of Chicopee is the contractor.

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