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Grape Pond Phase 1 sewer: contracts awarded; Route 28 closure to begin April 1

Water Quality Management Committee · March 19, 2026

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Summary

DPW staff reported two contracts awarded for the Grape Pond Phase 1 sewer project, bids that cut estimated cost to about $53M, a state 0% loan covering roughly $41M of eligible work, and a temporary Route 28 closure April 1–May 22 for construction.

Amy Lowell, the town's water superintendent, gave a detailed update on the Grape Pond Phase 1 sewer project and associated construction impacts.

Lowell said the project was divided into two contracts: CC Construction (lift station and force mains) and RJV Construction (collection system). Together the low bids reduced the estimated project cost from about $60 million to about $53 million. The State confirmed a 0% interest loan for the eligible portion (about $41 million), and the town expects to receive the 25% loan forgiveness the project has targeted.

Construction will begin April 1. Lowell said RJV will start on Route 28 east of the Sandwich Road intersection and that the work will require closing Route 28 from Sandwich Road to the Maravista Avenue Extension from April 1 until approximately May 22; local access to businesses and residents will be maintained and a detour map is posted on the town's website. Work hours on Route 28 are expected to be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Property owners in the sewer service area will receive notifications about lateral stub locations; the design shows laterals to the property line and contractors will place green stakes to indicate proposed stub locations so property owners can request adjustments. The town will publish three‑week look‑ahead schedules and has posted collection system design drawings on the wastewater division website.

Lowell said construction is expected to be complete in 2027 and sewers will become available for connection after that date. The DPW confirmed it will fully repave streets disturbed by the work (full‑width mill and overlay where sewers are installed) and is coordinating staging and paving to avoid overlapping detours.

Next steps: finalization of sewer‑equivalent units for betterment calculations, a planned public meeting this spring with betterment and grinder‑pump information, and continuing coordination with police, fire and school bus operations.