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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE11-01

January 5, 2011

CONTACT:

Farrell Sklerov / Angel Román (DEP) (718) 595-6600
Matthew Monahan / Craig Chin (DDC) (718) 391-1641

DEP, DOT, DDC Complete Harrison Street Reconstruction Project in Tribeca

Manhattan Infrastructure Project Will Improve Water Distribution and Alleviate Street Flooding


Environmental Protection Commissioner Cas Holloway and Design and Construction Commissioner David J. Burney today announced the completion of the Harrison Street reconstruction to ensure a more reliable water supply system. As part of the $18 million project, distribution water mains were upgraded to more reliable and longer-lasting ductile iron instead of cast iron pipes to provide critical water redundancy throughout the area. Tribeca residents will also be less likely to experience service disruption during any future water main work in the area. The infrastructure project included new and upgraded combined sewers, curbs, sidewalks, catch basins, hydrants, manholes, and street paving; the reconstruction was funded by DEP and DOT and managed by DDC.

"Some of the city's oldest water mains are in Lower Manhattan, and upgrading this critical infrastructure will ensure that drinking water flows reliably in this neighborhood for many years to come," said Commissioner Holloway. "With more than $250 million committed to improve our water distribution network in Manhattan over the next five years — including the completion of ten shaft sites to activate Stage 2 of City Tunnel No. 3 — the reliability and quality of our drinking water supply has never been better. I want to thank DOT and DDC for their partnership in undertaking this critical work."

"The Department of Design and Construction continues to upgrade and rebuild the infrastructure in Lower Manhattan," said Commissioner David J. Burney, FAIA. "Tribeca residents now have infrastructure that will last for decades to come and new cobblestone streets with granite curbs and sidewalks restoring character to this historic neighborhood."

The reconstruction project included Harrison Street between West Street and Hudson Street, Greenwich Street between Canal Street and Hubert Street, and Leonard Street between Hudson Street and West Broadway. The project paved the roadway with eight blocks of new cobblestones, replaced 1,222 feet of water distribution mains and 1,023 feet of combined sewers including reconstructed sewers. In addition, 1,880 square feet of bluestone sidewalk, 35 catch basins, 16 manholes and seven fire hydrants were installed. The new paving and storm and sanitary sewer construction will alleviate street flooding.

Upgrading water distribution and sewer infrastructure is a central part of DEP's upcoming capital plan. In Manhattan specifically, DEP has budgeted $425 million in additional capital spending of which $252 million is for water supply purposes, including funding to complete ten Manhattan shafts that will connect City Water Tunnel No. 3 to the distribution network. This work is critical to turning on the Manhattan leg of City Water Tunnel No. 3 by 2013.

DEP manages the city's water supply, providing more than 1 billion gallons of water each day to more than 9 million residents, including 8 million in New York City. New York City's water is delivered from a watershed that extends more than 125 miles from the city, and comprises 19 reservoirs, and three controlled lakes. Approximately 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels and aqueducts bring water to homes and businesses throughout the five boroughs, and 7,400 miles of sewer lines take wastewater to 14 in-city treatment plants. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/dep or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nycwater .

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