April 25, 2011

CONTACT:

Farrell Sklerov / Angel Román (718) 595-6600

DEP, DOT, DDC Complete Reconstruction Project in Queens

$62.8 Million Project Improves Water Distribution and Alleviates Flooding in Jamaica and Saint Albans

Environmental Protection Commissioner Cas Holloway, Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan and Design and Construction Commissioner David Burney today announced the completion of a $62.8 million reconstruction project at 99th Avenue and 110th Avenue in Jamaica and Saint Albans, Queens to ensure a more reliable water supply system and to alleviate flooding. In addition to new distribution mains, a new 48-inch steel trunk water main was added to the existing grid to improve water pressure and provide critical water redundancy throughout the area. The project will also alleviate street flooding through new or upgraded sanitary and storm sewers, and included new curbs, sidewalks, and a street repavement. The reconstruction project, which started in 2006, was funded by DEP and DOT and managed by DDC.

"Maintaining and upgrading our vast underground water and sewer network can significantly improve the quality of life for New Yorkers," said Commissioner Holloway. "Projects like this reconstruction ensure that New York City's world-class water always flows uninterrupted, and that flooding is reduced as much as possible during storms. I want to thank Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, Department of Design and Construction Commissioner David Burney, and both of their staffs for helping complete this project."

"I would like to applaud DEP, DOT, and DDC for the completion of this project to improve the water and sewer networks in St. Albans," said State Senator Malcolm A. Smith. "The water main replacement work and the upgrading of storm and sanitary sewers will reduce flooding and sewer backups, and increase the reliability and capacity of the area's water distribution network."

"The completion of the $62.8 million project consisting of water main replacement and the upgrading of our storm and sanitary sewers in Southeast Queens marks a major victory for the long suffering residents of South Jamaica and St. Albans," said Council Member Leroy Comrie. "Hopefully this will solve the water pressure problem in these communities and alleviate flooding. There were problems along the way but when I brought them to the attention of the agencies they were able to resolve them. I want to thank DEP, DOT and DDC for their work on this project and also express my appreciation to our civics, churches and Community Board #12 who long advocated for this important reconstruction."

"It was long overdue, but the community is pleased. We've been waiting for years to get relief from the flooding condition, especially at 177th Street and Liberty Avenue near the underpass," said Yvonne Reddick, District Manager, Community Board 12, Queens. "I would like to thank DDC, DEP, DOT, Councilman Leroy Comrie, the former Councilman Thomas White, Jr., the community residents for being patient, and the Community Liaisons and all that had a role in getting this project completed. With the new trees and sidewalks, not only does it beautify the community, it alleviates street flooding. This was one of the largest projects done in Community Board 12 history."

The project began in September 2006 and added one 48-inch trunk main more than three miles in length and more than five miles of smaller water distribution mains. The new water mains will improve water supply distribution by providing a critical redundancy that will minimize disruption to consumers during any future water main work and service shutdowns. Residents will also be less likely to experience low water pressure and discolored water when other water mains in the vicinity are being repaired or upgraded. In addition, three miles of storm sewers, two miles of sanitary sewers, 287 catch basins and 242 manholes were installed. The reconstruction also included the installation of 40,442 linear feet of concrete curb, 249,805 square feet of concrete sidewalk, 84,320 square yards of asphalt roadway, and 269 trees.

The reconstruction was from Sutphin Boulevard to Francis Lewis Boulevard; 110th Avenue from Sutphin Boulevard to 155th Street; 153rd Street from 110th Avenue to 110th Road; 110th Avenue from 155th Street to 173rd Street; 164th Place from 110th Avenue to 109th Avenue; 167th Street from 110th Avenue to 111th Avenue; 172nd Street from 110th Avenue to 109th Avenue; 173rd Street from 110th Avenue to Liberty Avenue; 109th Avenue from 173rd Street to 175th Street; Liberty Avenue from 173rd Street to 104th Avenue; 177th Street from Liberty Avenue to 93rd Avenue; 180th Street from Liberty Avenue to 104th Avenue; 104th Avenue from Liberty Avenue to Farmers Boulevard; 186th Street from Liberty Avenue to 104th Avenue; 189th Street from Liberty Avenue to 99th Avenue; Henderson Avenue from 189th Street to Farmers Boulevard; 190th Street from 99th Avenue to Woodhull Avenue; 99th Avenue from 189th Street to Farmers Boulevard; Farmers Boulevard from 104th Avenue to Woodhull Avenue; 99th Avenue from Farmers Boulevard to Francis Lewis Boulevard; and 195th Street from 99th Avenue to Woodhull Avenue.

Upgrading water distribution and sewer infrastructure is a central part of DEP's upcoming capital plan. In Queens, the Preliminary Budget includes $2.3 billion of spending from FY 2012-21, including $417 million for sewers, of which $190 million is for high-level storm sewers in Southeast Queens.

DEP manages the 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 and residents of Ulster, Orange, Putnam and Westchester counties. 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.