FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 17-8
February 1, 2017
CONTACT: DEP (718)595-6600; DDC (718)391-1583

119^th Avenue in St. Albans Getting $20 Million Sewer Upgrade to Reduce Flooding

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

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

New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Acting Commissioner Vincent Sapienza and Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Dr. Feniosky Peña-Mora today announced that construction is underway on a $20 million sewer project along 119^th Avenue in the southeast Queens neighborhood of St. Albans that will improve drainage and reduce flooding. Most of the roadways in this area lack adequate stormwater infrastructure, including catch basins and sewers, and during heavy rain there can be chronic flooding. Funding for the project is being provided by DEP while DDC will oversee the construction.

“The construction of new storm sewers along 119^th Avenue will help to reduce the flooding that can occur during heavy rain storms, so we are excited to see this project moving forward,” said DEP Acting Commissioner Vincent Sapienza. “This work is the very beginning of the Mayor’s $1.7 billion commitment to reducing flooding and improving the quality of life in southeast Queens.”

“Infrastructure upgrades, like the installation of water mains, storm and sanitary sewers in this project, are usually unseen—but they’re vital to our city’s future. We’re happy to work with our partner DEP, to provide infrastructure that will serve southeast Queens residents well for decades to come,” said DDC Commissioner Peña-Mora.

“This sewer project will significantly reduce the chronic flooding that has been an issue for years in St. Albans,” said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. “Mayor de Blasio and the Department of Environmental Protection, led by Acting Commissioner Vincent Sapienza, should be commended for undertaking this project and also for investing more than $1.7 billion to help improve drainage in southeast Queens neighborhoods over the next 10 years. We applaud the administration’s continued commitment to relieving southeast Queens residents from the burdens of flooding.”

“As residents of Southeast Queens know all too well, chronic flooding has been a major issue for years," said State Senator Leroy Comrie. “I commend Mayor de Blasio and DEP for directing resources toward remedying this issue, and I congratulate my colleagues in the city council as well as community leaders for their success in seeing to it that this money was allocated.”

“Chronic flooding has been a significant issue for our community this sewer project will help address the localized flooding that occurs during heavy rain storms" said Assembly Member Alicia Hyndman. "My office will continue to work with DEP to address the other factors contributing to flooding in our community.”

“I join the residents of St. Albans in celebrating this significant milestone,” commented Council Member I. Daneek Miller (D-St. Albans). “Residents and houses of worship along this particular corridor have long suffered from localized flooding after heavy rainstorms, which often destroys property in basements, presents hazardous conditions for pedestrians, and deteriorates sidewalks and roadways. I commend the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Design and Construction for finally correcting this long-standing issue.”

“Flooding and high water levels are a consistent issue in our neighborhood and the commencement of this project is a welcome sign,” said Yvonne Reddick, District Manager of Community Board 12. “The residents of our community have suffered for many years from flooding and damage to their homes and streets so this project is vital to the welfare of many. I thank the Administration and our elected officials for helping to make this possible.”

As part of the project, stormwater and sanitary sewers will be installed along 119^th Avenue between 196^th Street and 192^nd Street, and along Lucas Street from 120^th Road to Springfield Boulevard. While the roadway is opened to install the sewers, new water mains will also be constructed to improve water distribution in the area.

This project is part of Mayor de Blasio’s commitment of $1.7 billion to address flooding in southeast Queens. Projects funded by this allocation will include the construction of catch basins and sewers to create additional capacity in the neighborhood’s drainage system. The bulk of the funding will go towards the construction of large trunk sewer spines along 150^th Street, Guy Brewer Boulevard, Farmers Boulevard and Springfield Boulevard. This work will take place through at least 18 separate projects, the first breaking ground as early as later this year. Dozens of smaller local sewer projects, such as 119^th Avenue, will connect neighborhoods to the trunk sewer spines.

In addition to these traditional gray infrastructure projects, an estimated 200 curbside rain gardens will be constructed to intercept stormwater before it ever enters the sewer system, along with green infrastructure improvements at four City parks, two public schools, and two NYCHA developments. Bluebelts are also being constructed to help manage stormwater at Springfield Lake, Baisley Pond, Twin Ponds and Brookville Triangle.

DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing approximately 1 billion gallons of high quality drinking water each day to more than 9 million residents, including 8.5 million in New York City. The water is delivered from a watershed that extends more than 125 miles from the city, comprising 21 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. DEP has nearly 6,000 employees, including almost 1,000 in the upstate watershed. In addition, DEP has a robust capital program, with a planned $20.7 billion in investments over the next 10 years that will create up to 3,000 construction-related jobs per year. or more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

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.