$1.7M is approved for sewer upgrades; Newton Square, Cambridge St. projects.

• Position: LOCAL NEWS

Byline: John J. Monahan

BOSTON - The city of Worcester will be able to increase the capacity of sewer lines in Newton Square and complete the Cambridge Street relief sewer project now that $1.7 million in state funds has been allocated for the sewer system expansion.

Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray said an additional $5.3 million is needed to fully fund the two sewer projects. He said he has met with local legislators and told them the state is committed to providing the remaining funds.

The state Department of Conservation and Recreation announced the funding decision yesterday.

The state funding comes as part an agreement reached in 1997 between the Metropolitan District Commission and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that relied on piping increased sewage from Holden, West Boylston and Rutland through Worcester to the Upper Blackstone Water Pollution Abatement District sewage treatment plant.

The new funding will cover the remaining costs of expanding the city sewer system to accommodate higher flows, the final phase of a three-phase project.

Mr. Murray, who recently brought DCR and city officials together to focus on getting the work under way, said he was pleased with the outcome.

"This project is long overdue and critically important to Worcester and surrounding communities," Mr. Murray said.

Mr. Murray said state Sens. Harriette L. Chandler and Edward M. Augustus Jr., both...