Justin Enroyd, conservation planning agent for the Gardner City Office of Community Development and Planning, opened a public information panel on the Keyes Road culvert project, saying the city has identified “a failing culvert … which we’ve identified needs replacing.”

Matt Zorick, a representative of Tighe & Bond, described the existing structure as “an 8 foot, corrugated, like, metal pipe” that was lined in the early 2000s and is now showing deterioration. “It’s also undersized for its purpose,” Zorick said, and the proposed replacement is a roughly 24-foot-wide open-bottom precast structure intended to match the natural stream bottom, improve sediment transport and wildlife passage, and increase resilience to future flood events.

The project team told attendees that the Keys Road culvert is the only access point into the neighborhood and provides the sole public access to an adjacent conservation area. Enroyd said failure of the culvert could strand residents; presenters also noted visible deterioration in the roadway above the structure.

City staff summarized project history: an award from the Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) in 2021 funded concept and design work, and through 2022–23 the city worked with Tighe & Bond to complete surveys, wetlands delineation and geotechnical work, consider alternatives and finish permitting and design. The presenters said the design is complete and “we have all permits in hand required for the project,” including the MassDOT bridge-program review noted as needing Chapter 85 approval because the planned span exceeds 10 feet.

Consultants said they evaluated several alternatives — precast flat-top concrete, an arch structure and a steel bridge — and selected a precast box structure for hydraulic performance, maintenance and cost reasons. The proposed open-bottom design would not be a closed pipe; natural stream substrate would be reestablished through the span to improve stream continuity.

On financing and schedule, staff provided an August 2025 estimate of a little over $2,000,000 and said costs have risen since the project was designed; they noted a potential grant match in the neighborhood of 10 percent but said the confirmed match amount was not yet known. The city has applied previously to the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Action Grant program and planned to prepare a submission for the spring 2026 cycle. Presenters said MVP awards are typically announced in mid to late summer and, if funded, construction could begin in 2027.

Because Keys Road is the only route in and out, the project requires phased construction to keep at least one travel lane open. Zorick described a two-stage sequence: complete the new structure on one side, pave and reopen that lane, then repeat on the other side. Temporary traffic controls and contractor-determined means and methods will be required to maintain access and to ensure the stream continues to pass during work.

Staff outlined outreach and partnerships: the city is seeking letters of community support, pursuing a partnership with North County Land Trust and considering involvement by the Gardner Community Action Committee. Direct mailers have been sent to primary stakeholders, materials are posted on the city planning website, and planners expect to install educational signage at the site during and after construction.

Residents asked about road closure, machinery access and examples from other towns. Zorick replied that most construction access would be from the roadway, that contractors will plan equipment staging and means of ingress, and that culvert replacements with larger spans are common across Massachusetts to meet stream-crossing standards for hydraulics and wildlife passage.

The presentation concluded with Enroyd inviting further questions and directing residents to contact the Gardner City Office of Community Development and Planning via the city website for more information and to request letters of support.