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November 14, 2017

City Completes $25 Million Sewer Upgrade In Rosedale To Reduce Flooding

Project is Part of Administration’s $1.7 Billion Commitment to Improve Drainage and Reduce Flooding in Southeast Queens

Additional Photos and a Map of the Project Area are Available on DEP’s Flickr Page

New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Vincent Sapienza and Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Acting Commissioner Ana Barrio today announced the completion of construction on a $25 million sewer project in the southeast Queens neighborhood of Rosedale that will improve drainage and help to mitigate flooding.  Prior to this project, most of the roadways in the area of Hook Creek Boulevard lacked adequate stormwater infrastructure, including catch basins and storm sewers, and heavy rain events contributed to local flooding. Funding for the project was provided by DEP, with DDC managing the construction.

“This project has significantly upgraded the sewer infrastructure in Rosedale, bringing some much needed relief to residents,” said DEP Commissioner Vincent Sapienza.  “The Mayor’s commitment of $1.7 billion to reduce flooding and improve the quality of life in southeast Queens means we will be able to bring similar peace of mind to even more residents in the coming years.”

“The upgraded sewer management system will have a lasting impact on the Rosedale Community in Queens by alleviating flooding and making the neighborhood more resilient and prepared for future storms,” said DDC Acting Commissioner Ana Barrio. “We are proud to work with our partners at DEP, to bring this improved, resilient infrastructure to New Yorkers in Rosedale.”

“For decades, the people of Rosedale have struggled with chronic flooding, due in large part to a lack of adequate storm-water drainage infrastructure on their streets. The completion of this project is an important step toward a future where flooding issues are no longer a frequent hassle for Rosedale residents,” said Senator Leroy Comrie. “I commend the Mayor for his $1.7 billion commitment to flooding mitigation in Southeast Queens, as well as Council Members Richards and Miller for working closely with the Mayor's Office to ensure that our needs are being met as these projects are completed.”

“With every new project completed in Southeast Queens, we are getting closer to the days where flooding is a concern of the past,” said Council Member Donovan Richards. “The community of Rosedale has suffered through not only Hurricane Sandy, but every rain storm, so the completion of this project on Hook Creek will provide long-awaited relief for residents in the area. I’d like to thank Mayor de Blasio, DDC Acting Commissioner Barrio, DEP Commissioner Sapienza and the entire staff at the Department of Environmental Protection for their dedication to righting the wrongs of the past.”

As part of the project, new storm and combined sewers were constructed along portions of Hook Creek Boulevard, Brookville Boulevard, Merrick Boulevard, and the surrounding side streets from 128th Ave to 133rd Ave. Approximately 12,000 linear feet of storm sewers, 8,700 linear feet of combined sewers and 121 catch basins were installed in the area. Additionally, while the roadway was opened to install the sewers, more than 4.5 miles of new ductile iron water mains were built to replace the older cast iron pipes. This will improve water distribution in the area and help to ensure a reliable supply of water for the future.

As part of this improved drainage system, stormwater collected in area sewers is now discharged through three new outfalls along Brookville Boulevard into new natural stilling basins adjacent to Twin Ponds.  The basins slow the flow of stormwater and allow sediment to settle out before slowly draining into Twin Ponds. 

This project is part of Mayor de Blasio’s commitment of $1.7 billion to address flooding in southeast Queens.  The bulk of the funding will go towards the construction of large trunk sewer spines along 150th Street, Guy Brewer Boulevard, Farmers Boulevard and Springfield Boulevard.  This work will take place through at least 18 separate projects.  Dozens of smaller local sewer projects, such as Hook Creek Boulevard, will connect neighborhoods to the trunk sewer spines.

In addition to traditional gray infrastructure projects like these, an estimated 200 curbside rain gardens will be constructed in and around Cambria Heights and Queens Village to intercept stormwater before it ever enters the sewer system. Other improvements for southeast Queens include green infrastructure components at three City parks, two public schools, and one NYCHA facility. Bluebelts are also being constructed to help manage stormwater at Springfield Lake, Baisley Pond, Twin Ponds and Brookville Triangle.



About the NYC Department of Environmental Protection
DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing more than one billion gallons of water each day to more than nine million residents, including eight million in New York City. The water is delivered from a watershed that extends more than 125 miles from the city, comprising 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 7,500 miles of sewer lines and 96 pump stations take wastewater to 14 in-city treatment plants. In addition, DEP has a robust capital program that will create up to 3,000 construction-related jobs per year. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

About the NYC Department of Design and Construction
The Department of Design and Construction is the City’s primary capital construction project manager. In supporting Mayor de Blasio’s lenses of growth, sustainability, resiliency, equity and healthy living, DDC provides communities with new or renovated public buildings such as such as firehouses, libraries, police precincts, new or upgraded roadways, sewers, water mains in all five boroughs. To manage this $15 billion portfolio, DDC partners with other City agencies, architects and consultants, whose experience bring efficient, innovative, and environmentally-conscious design and construction strategies to city projects. For more information, please visit nyc.gov/ddc.