June 21, 2010

CONTACT:

Farrell Sklerov / Angel Román (718) 595-6600

DEP, DDC Complete Infrastructure Project in Maspeth

$20 Million Project to Alleviate Flooding and Reduce Sewer Backups

Environmental Environmental Protection Commissioner Cas Holloway today announced the completion of a $20 million reconstruction project in Maspeth, Queens to alleviate street flooding and reduce sewer backups. The infrastructure project features new combined sewers and catch basins and replaced aging distribution water mains. Work on the project – funded by DEP and managed by DDC – began in August, 2008.

"The 54th Avenue project will substantially reduce flooding in Maspeth, and ensure that the water supply network continues to deliver healthy, great tasting drinking water for years to come," said Commissioner Holloway. "Local investments like this underscore Mayor Bloomberg's commitment to maintain and upgrade the critical infrastructure that keeps our city working each day. I want to thank Commissioner David Burney and his team at the Department of Design and Construction for their hard work on our behalf all year to improve water and sewer infrastructure in all five boroughs."

"The Department of Design and Construction is devoted to maintaining the city's infrastructure," said Commissioner David J. Burney, FAIA. "These upgrades to sewers and catch basins will alleviate flooding conditions for the residents of Maspeth."

"The completion of this project marks a great day for Maspeth residents," said Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer. "Investments in our infrastructure make our communities safer, reducing sewage backups and providing our residents with a quality water distribution system they deserve."

The reconstruction took place along 54th Avenue between Maurice Avenue and 58th Street, and Maurice Avenue between 54th Avenue and 56th Avenue. The project added 2,692 feet of new combined sewers, replaced 3,392 feet of distribution water mains, and installed 35 new catch basins. Additional work included the installation of sidewalks, curbs and a street repavement.

Upgrading water distribution and sewer infrastructure is a central part of DEP's upcoming capital plan. In Queens, DEP has budgeted an additional $1.7 billion for Fiscal Years 2010 through 2014, including $330 million for new sewers, $200 million for water mains and more than $800 million for upgrades to Queens wastewater treatment plants and combined sewer overflow facilities.

DEP manages the City's water supply, providing more than 1 billion gallons of water each day to more than 9 million residents. 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.