Federal Funds Secured to Combat Chronic Flooding in Town Center

By BARBARA POLICHETTI
Posted 1/16/25

The City’s Congressional delegation this week announced that approximately $2 million in federal funding has been earmarked to help address chronic flooding in the town center.

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The City’s Congressional delegation this week announced that approximately $2 million in federal funding has been earmarked to help address chronic flooding in the town center.

U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner joined Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr. for a press conference on the steps of Town Hall – directly in the line of sight of the problem area:  The intersection of Atwood and Hartford Avenues.

Officials said that while Johnston, like neighboring communities, is dealing with widespread flood problems, the downtown juncture is of immediate concern because it often becomes impassable during heavy rainstorms and affects homes, businesses and public safety

“Today marks a significant step forward for Johnston and our residents,” Polisena said. “This federal earmark will allow us to address the chronic flooding that has disrupted lives, businesses, and commutes for far too long. Our main intersection, where Hartford and Atwood Avenues meet, often becomes impassable during heavy rains, effectively splitting the town in two and limiting highway access.”

The earmarked allotment will augment any other funding the town receives or commits to in working on a broader flood and stormwater management plan. In November, voters overwhelming approved a $40 million local bond referendum to enable the town to improve its stormwater management and sewer facilities.

“This is good news for the residents of Johnston and those who rely on this important intersection to get to school, work, the market, or any of the local stores nearby,” Reed said. 

As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Reed is known for having worked with local officials and federal agencies to address flooding in the Pocasset River watershed.  In addition to this latest federal earmark, his office said he has helped direct an additional $12 million in federal funds to bolster flood-related infrastructure and assist homeowners through the Pocasset watershed area.

According to town officials, chronic flooding in the downtown crossroads area repeatedly forces the closure portions of Atwood Avenue as well as access ramps to Route 6 – sometimes for days at a time.

Official said that the flooding occurs when excess rain causes the Pocasset River to crest and low-lying areas, such as the intersection of Atwood and Hartford Avenues, are particularly vulnerable.

Polisena said that it will take a number of mitigation measures to solve the problem, including improved drainage infrastructure and natural measures such as vegetated areas, sometimes called bioswales, with permeable surfaces that makes it easier for water to be absorbed.

“With this funding, we will implement innovative solutions like bioswales and install new piping under both streets, connecting to our existing detention ponds,” Polisena said.  “While the layout of the area will look the same, its functionality during heavy rains will be vastly improved. I want to thank Senator Reed, Senator Whitehouse, and Congressman Magaziner for their unwavering support and collaboration in securing these funds. Together, we are making Johnston stronger, more connected, and more resilient for the future.”

Officials said that the some of the work that the federal funding will make possible will be for the creation of a system that will allow for the temporary storage of stormwater runoff in oversized pipes.  The temporary storage would be used until storms pass and the Pocasset River returns to normal levels.

The Pocasset is a shallow river that flows southeasterly approximately 12 miles from between Brown Avenue and Belfield Drive in Johnston, through the town into heavily populated areas in neighboring Cranston, and then on to the Warwick city line where it converges with the Pawtuxet River.  There are five dams along the river in Johnston.

Over the years there have been various projects aimed at addressing flooding from the Pocasset in the affected communities, but the problems persist.

“The delegation has worked hard to make Johnston more resilient and to ensure residents have options for dealing with the frequent, severe flooding that has affected multiple areas of town,” said Whitehouse, who is a ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee.  “We are delivering federal funding to support Mayor Polisena’s effort to help small businesses stay open, minimize storm-related property damage, and keep residents safe on the roads.”

“Every Rhode Islander deserves to know that their families, homes, and businesses are safe from extreme weather — yet too many Johnston residents know all too well the devastating impacts of flooding to their lives and livelihoods,” Magaziner said. “I’m proud to have partnered with Senators Reed and Whitehouse to deliver federal funding that will help mitigate flooding in Johnston and bring peace of mind to residents.”

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