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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 17-15
March 24, 2017
DEP (718) 595-6600; DDC (718) 391-1583

$25 Million Sewer Upgrade For Hook Creek Boulevard In Rosedale Will Reduce Flooding

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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 has begun on a $25 million sewer project in the southeast Queens neighborhood of Rosedale that will improve drainage and help to mitigate flooding. Most of the roadways in the area of Hook Creek Boulevard lack adequate stormwater infrastructure, including catch basins and storm sewers, and heavy rain events can cause flooding. Funding for the project is being provided by DEP while DDC will oversee the construction, which is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2017.

“This project will significantly upgrade the sewer infrastructure in Rosedale, bringing some much needed relief to residents,” said DEP Acting 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 infrastructure upgrades in the Rosedale community strengthen the area and offer residents solutions to flooding problems that have affected them in the past,” said DDC Commissioner Peña-Mora. “I thank Mayor de Blasio and our partners at the DEP for continuing to support the vision for a more resilient City and look forward to bringing necessary improvements elsewhere in south Queens and across the five boroughs.”

“These improvements to the sewer system along Hook Creek Boulevard will do a great deal to stop the chronic flooding that has damaged property in the area,” said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. “The de Blasio administration has clearly shown that it is committed to addressing flooding in southeast Queens. The New York City Department of Environmental Protection, led by Acting Commissioner Vincent Sapienza, and the New York City Department of Design and Construction, led by Commissioner Dr. Feniosky Peña-Mora, should be commended for embarking this important upgrade of our borough’s infrastructure.”

“The long-awaited $25 million project to address the flooding conditions in Rosedale is truly appreciated by the local residents who have been struggling with this issue for decades,” said State Senator Leroy Comrie. “I applaud Mayor de Blasio, Council Member Richards, and Council Member Miller for continuing to ensure that the city pushes forth with its comprehensive plan to alleviate flooding conditions throughout Southeast Queens. This $1.7 billion plan is a major step forward to addressing this difficult problem. I look forward to working with all parties to ensure that the needs of our community continue to be met.”

“Rosedale residents have been burdened by inadequate infrastructure for years and this upgrade will help alleviate the chronic flooding faced by homeowners,” said Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman. “My office will continue to work with Department of Environmental Protection to address the other factors contributing to flooding in our community.”

“Southeast Queens has been looking for solutions to flooding for decades but at least now we have a plan. With every new project, 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 I look forward to seeing this $25 million project progress to improve drainage for homeowners who often have to wait for large puddles to evaporate before the waters recede from their street. I’d like to thank Mayor de Blasio 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 will be constructed along Hook Creek Boulevard between 128th Avenue and Merrick Boulevard, along Brookville Boulevard between 121st Street and 128th Drive, and in portions of the adjacent neighborhood. Once complete, approximately 12,000 linear feet of storm sewers, 8,500 linear feet of combined sewers and 140 catch basins will be installed in the area. Additionally, while the roadway is opened to install the sewers, more than 2.5 miles of new ductile iron water mains will be 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 will be discharged through three new outfalls along Brookville Boulevard into new natural stilling basins adjacent to Twin Ponds. The basins will slow the stormwater down and allow sediment to settle out before it slowly drains 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, the first breaking ground as early as later this year. Dozens of smaller local sewer projects, such as Hook Creek Boulevard, 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 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. For 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.

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