Drainage of Foster Street flooding begins

By Matthew K. Roy
Staff writer

June 17, 2009 05:00 am

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PEABODY — The clogged waterways underneath Foster Street have historically backed up during heavy rainstorms and contributed to the flooding that has hampered downtown.

But drainage in the area should improve this summer. Work has recently begun on removing sediment that has blocked water flowing through the culvert system. On Monday, two vacuum trucks parked beside Foster Street were busy collecting material through hoses run underground.

The city is using state grant money to pay for a project that will be completed sometime this summer, Community Development Director Jean Delios said. The price tag will be between $250,000 and $350,000, depending on how much material is removed.

In addition to the work underground, a city-hired contractor will clear canals of rubbish and contaminated sediment to restore the original stream bed, Delios said. The project is meant to upgrade flow capacity along Foster Street and give relief to residents and businesses from flooding.

The city has scheduled a formal groundbreaking on Friday at 10 a.m. to highlight the work. The event is being held at Riverwalk Park on Foster Street.

In a press release, Mayor Michael Bonfanti said, "We are entering a phase of exceptional progress, and I am confident our work will contribute to a lasting impact on flooding."

Peabody has suffered five major floods, including three federal disasters, since 1996. The city's flooding remedy involves three phases:

The city will install twin underground culverts under Foster Street and through Peabody Square;

Peabody crews will widen a 1,600-foot stretch of the North River to 38 feet, from 11 to 22 feet in spots;

The Army Corps of Engineers will widen the portion of the river that extends into Salem.