New York City Completes $71 Million Sewer and Water Infrastructure Upgrade Project

New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Vincent Sapienza and Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Acting Commissioner Ana Barrio today announced that construction has been completed on a $71 million infrastructure upgrade project in Flushing, Queens, that will improve roadway drainage and help to mitigate flooding during heavy rainstorms. The upgrades include new storm and sanitary sewers, as well as water mains, fire hydrants and catch basins. Funding for the project was provided by DEP while DDC managed the construction, which began in 2012.

“This $71 million investment in Flushing will significantly upgrade the sewer system, improve drainage, reduce flooding, and provide a reliable supply of water,” said DEP Commissioner Vincent Sapienza. “We thank DDC for their efforts in managing this project, and the next phases to come, as we work together to strengthen this neighborhood’s infrastructure and make all of New York City more resilient.”

As part of the project, more than 7,700 linear feet of new storm sewers were constructed along the northbound Whitestone Expressway Service Road, between 25th Avenue and Flushing Creek, and in portions of 144th Street, Union Street, 25th Road, Farrington Street, and Higgins Street in the adjacent neighborhood. The newly added 53 catch basins will increase the system’s stormwater storage capacity and help to alleviate flooding.

Additionally, while the roadway was opened to install the sewers, more than 8,000 linear feet of new ductile iron water mains were built to replace the older cast iron pipes. This will improve water distribution in the area and 22 new hydrants will ensure firefighters have a reliable supply of water. Also, approximately 1,800 linear feet of sanitary sewers were installed in the area.

This project serves as the first phase of a three-phase plan to improve and upgrade the area’s drainage and water distribution systems. The next two components are estimated to cost a combined $120 million, with Phase II expected to start construction later this year, and Phase III slated to commence in 2020.

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