The State, Federal, and Town of Barre governments will not allow an extensive roadway project to be constructed with public funds if the underlying drainage is not adequate to protect the roadway above.Drainage is one of the major factors in the lifetime expectancy of a roadway system. Without proper drainage a roadway will only last a fraction of its design life, which amounts to big waste of taxpayer money. Excessive water in the soil due to clogged pipes, broken pipes or inadequately sized pipes, improperly located drainage and water inadequately drained from pavement must be investigated and repaired before the roadway above is developed.

Currently Barre center and the surrounding neighborhoods have a mix of modern and antiquated drainage structures in various conditions, much of it poor. The actual location of all the pipes and drains are not fully known. A significant and sometimes overwhelming amount of drainage enters the Barre Commons from these neighborhood drains, placing a much greater demand on the system than just the Common area itself. This existing drainage system is currently in disrepair, and the full extent of the issues are unknown. The current condition of the pavement throughout the Commons area is a result of this poor drainage. If it were all repaved tomorrow, the water would begin to destroy the new pavement in a matter of a few years.

Another important example of this problem is seen in the destabilization of the Historical Monuments on the Barre Common.

To be both frugal and effective, the Barre Commons Committee is proposing a remove, repair, and replacement program for the existing drainage system. This will entail the use of a professional engineer, working in conjunction with town forces to video (using the Town DPW system) and otherwise investigate the condition of the drainage within the Barre Commons. Based on initial engineering investigations the drainage project is anticipated to be extensive and complicated. Therefore, in addition to hiring an engineer, a unit item maintenance contract will be bid and awarded for the drainage repair items.
If a section of 12" piping is collapsed or otherwise found to be substandard, the Engineer acting as Barre's representative in conjunction with the DPW will authorize removing and replacing the 12" pipe. The Maintenance contractor will then be called remove and replace the pipe for the linear foot price in their contract. When all the drainage is inspected and brought up to adequate standards, the Engineer acting as Barre's agent will certify that the drainage allowing the roadway project to go forward.

The final and most important part of the drainage project is that it be completed at least one Spring season ahead of the roadway project. This is essential to go through at least one freeze thaw cycle to allow for settlement of any trenches dug to replace drains or holes dug to replace catch basins. Without this, any warrantees on the ensuing roadway project may not be valid.