Brooklyn Residents Upset Over “Massive Havoc” Caused by Infrastructure Project

HOUSTON (UC) — Hundreds of residents in the Brooklyn area of New York City attended a meeting recently to voice their frustration over the disruptions caused by utility companies working on an infrastructure improvement project. 

The goal of project BED798 is to replace trunk and distribution water and sewer mains as well as other street improvements. Work will include installation of 1.5 miles of 8”, 12”, 20”, and 72” inch pipes. The $38 million project is expected to take three years.  

The project began in January of 2018 but residents who live along the four-block stretch where work is being done have said that since 2016, they have struggled with power outages, water service interruptions, and even blocked roads preventing emergency vehicles from passing.  

Around 500 residents have been affected by the project including many senior citizens and people with disabilities.  

The St. John’s Place Community Association (SJPCA) recently held a meeting for community members to come express their frustrations. Residents described basements flooded with sewage, structural damages potentially compromising home foundations and open raw-sewage pipes, among other concerns.  

The biggest frustration for most residents is the lack of communication and transparency with the city’s Department of Design and Construction (DDC) who is running the project. Hundreds of complaints were reported through 311 for various incidents, to no avail or results, according to SJPCA. 

Leaders among the organization have met with DDC representatives but said there have been no results as of yet. They are currently in discussion with the Mayor’s office as well as with a local councilman.

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