New York City Begins Construction on $19 Million Water Project

Photo courtesy of New York City's Department of Environmental Protection.

The New York City Departments of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Design and Construction (DDC) today announced that work is underway on a $19 million project to upgrade the drinking water supply connection to Randall’s Island and Wards Island.

As part of the project, a new sub-aqueous main will be constructed using a micro-tunnel boring machine to excavate a passage for the new pipeline beneath the Bronx Kill waterway. DEP is funding the project and DDC is managing the construction, which is anticipated to be completed in 2018.

“This investment will help to ensure a reliable supply of water for the many critical facilities that operate on Randall’ s and Wards Islands,” said DEP Acting Commissioner Vincent Sapienza. “We thank our partners at DDC for their work on this important infrastructure upgrade.”

Preparatory work included the excavation of a 55-foot deep shaft on Randall’s Island to serve as a launch site for the micro-tunnel boring machine. Engineers will use advanced technology to remotely control the micro-tunnel boring machine from the surface as it moves under the Bronx Kill toward Brook Avenue and Bruckner Boulevard in the Bronx. Micro-tunneling beneath the waterway, its tidal wetlands, and the railroad tracks that follow the Bronx shoreline will allow work to progress without disrupting these natural features and transportation routes.

The new 20-inch water main, which will serve as a secondary feed for Randall’s Island, will connect to an existing 36-inch water main at Brook Avenue and Bruckner Boulevard in the Bronx, and to an existing 20-inch water main on Randall’s Island. The project also includes the construction of approximately 2,100 linear feet of distribution water mains.

 

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