The Pawtucket tunnel project is part of the final phase of a programme to modernise water management in Narragansett Bay. Located close to Providence, the capital of Rhode Island (population 180,000), the bay faces major challenges in terms of water management, namely stormwater overflow and pollution problems in the past.

The work involves constructing a 3.5 km long tunnel, which will provide underground storage for rainwater, wastewater and industrial wastewater until it is transferred to a water treatment plant. Once treated, the water will be discharged into the Seekonk River.