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AUBURN, Mass. – Auburn stands to get $1.6 million from the state for the town's industrial park access and Sword Street repairs if Gov. Deval Patrick signs off on the item included in the 2012 Transportation Bond Bill.
The House and Senate enacted the final version of the Transportation Bond Bill on Tuesday, according to State Sen. Michael Moore (D-Millbury) and Rep. Paul Frost (R-Auburn).
“I’m proud to play a part in addressing one of Auburn’s most urgent infrastructure needs,” Moore said. “This project is a critical component to job growth and continued economic development for Auburns’ citizens. It’s part of our overall goal of bringing more jobs and business success to Auburn.”
“These repairs and improvements along the Auburn Industrial Park and Sword Street are needed to address both public safety concerns and improve economic development,” Frost said. “It is a project which will benefit both residents and businesses in this area.”
The $1.6 million is required to allow Auburn to go forward with plans to replace the culverts under Sword Street, which is the primary access and egress to the Auburn Industrial Park. By replacing the existing corrugated metal pipes with contemporary concrete box culverts, Moore said, “the likelihood of collapse is greatly reduced.”
The Industrial Park is home to 22 businesses with more than 300 employees in 365,000 square feet of industrial space. Due to development patterns at the time of the park’s inception, Sword Street is the only viable access point for large trucks that carry raw materials and goods.
“Therefore, it is crucial that Sword Street remain a viable access point,” Moore said.
“It is my hope the funding will be authorized by the Governor or this will improve the chances of the community to obtain the $1.6 million through other means, such as a state grant,” Frost said. “Placing this for Auburn in the bond bill gives the town a chance to make an even better case to receive state funding and assistance with this important project.”
Funding appropriated in bond bills must be approved by the governor before it’s made available to the communities.
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