DALTON, Mass. — The town has been awarded $1,450,000 in grant funding from the state to aid in two ongoing issues in town: repairs to the town’s lowest-rated bridge and sidewalk repairs. 

 

In July 2026, Town Manager Eric Anderson announced the need to repair the bridge on Grange Hall Road over Barton Brook, located near Patricia Avenue. The project is conservatively estimated to cost $2,335,000. 

 

According to the state website, the short span bridge, built in 1938, was inspected on July 20, 2025, and rated as structurally deficient. 

 

The state awarded the town $1,000,000 to aid in the repairs through the MassWorks Infrastructure Program. 

 

During the Select Board meeting where the grant was announced, it was said that the town will need to allocate the remaining approximately $ 1,335,000, but this is the most affordable it will ever be because of the state grant.

 

For several years, town officials have raised concerns over the aging infrastructure of its sidewalks, and now a $450,000 state grant through the rural development fund will help with some of that. 

 

The town had undergone a streetscan study, which shows the level of travel and condition of the roads, and concluded that a large number of streets are in poor or serious condition. 

 

The state grant will support repairs and replacements of approximately 7,200 linear feet of sidewalks identified through the study and infrastructure assessment. These sidewalks connect schools, businesses, the senior center, municipal facilities, parks, and other community destinations.