Hampden MVP Action Grant: Bridge Replacement & Green Infrastructure

Project Summary

This project will advanced design and permitting for a replacement bridge on Main Street over East Brook in Hampden. It included the design of bio-retention areas or other nature-based solutions within the right-of-way of Main Street between the parking lot and Mass Audubon's Laughing Brook Wildlife Sanctuary (located adjacent to the bridge project), a right-of-way location on Glendale Road, and another location on Bennett Road, both located upstream from the bridge replacement project.

Community Overview

Hampden is located in Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley, along the eastern edge of the Connecticut River Valley. It has a population of 4,966 residents. Seniors and other vulnerable residents are at risk from climate change threats associated with flooding, excessive heat, drought, extreme storm events, and wildfire. Hampden was settled on the banks of the Scantic River which provided power to the early grist and sawmills.

Grant Details

• Year: FY25
• Project Type: Type 2: Design and Permitting
• MVP Region: Greater Connecticut River Valley
• Grant Amount: $275,450
• Match Amount: $31,272
• Municipal Lead: Board of Selectmen

MVP Core Principles 

While this project addressed multiple MVP Core Principles, it primarily focused on:

1. Furthering a community identified priority action to address climate change impacts
2. Employing Nature-Based Solutions
3. Building community capacity for climate resilience

Project Goals

• Complete final design for the Replacement of Main Street Bridge over East Brook with an appropriately sized opening in conformance with the Massachusetts Stream Crossing Standards;
• Identify preferred design of bio-retention areas or other nature-based solutions within the ROW of Main Street between the parking lot and Mass Audubon’s Laughing Brook Wildlife Sanctuary located adjacent to the bridge project; and,
• Produce two videos to promote public education and community outreach.

Results and Deliverables

• Completed final Main Street Bridge and Roadway Design and Permitting Documents ready for construction completed (i.e., a shovel ready bridge replacement design package)
• Identified preferred design of bioretention areas or other nature-based solutions on the adjacent site between the parking lot and Main Street at Laughing Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, owned by Mass Audubon.
• Educated the public and achieved successful community engagement program as evidenced by participation and repeat attendees.
• Showed success with recognition and project stories in local newspaper.

Partners and Other Support

• Hampden Town Administrator coordinated meetings, reviewed outreach materials, posted meeting notices, and reviewed monthly reports.
• Hampden Highway Superintendent worked with the technical project team, shared and reviewed MassDOT bridge inspection reports, historical flood conditions throughout Town, and updated team with photos of real time flood situations.
• Hampden Board of Selectmen hosted quarterly updates at Board of Selectmen meetings.
• Massachusetts Audubon Laughing Brook site offered opportunity for consideration of GI-LID options to be located on Laughing Brook property. 

Lessons Learned 

• Enhanced partnership with Mass Audubon and identification of opportunities to apply low impact development strategies on other properties, further reducing flooding threats and impacts to water quality.
• Outreach to private landowners informed residents about the value of utilizing green infrastructure and best management practices.
• Videos highlighted Hampden’s MVP experiences and shows how local officials and residents consider climate change impacts by providing education and outreach materials and adapting changes in operations to address changing local conditions.