Project to Reduce Flooding, Upgrade Streets and Sidewalks Completed in Middle Village

Project completed $3 million below the original budget

DEP: Ted Timbers, 718-595-6600, Deppressoffice@dep.nyc.gov
DOT: Brian Zumhagen, 212-839-4850, bzumhagen@dot.nyc.gov
DDC: Shoshana Khan, 718-391-1251, KhanSho@ddc.nyc.gov

(Middle Village, NY – July 27, 2020) The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) and NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) announced today that a $32 million project to decrease street flooding, upgrade water mains and improve streets and sidewalks near 74th Street and Penelope Avenue in Middle Village, Queens has been completed. The project, which began in June 2016, was funded by DEP and DOT and was managed by DDC.

“Upgrading the critical infrastructure serving Middle Village is an investment in an improved quality of life for residents and businesses,” said DEP Commissioner Vincent Sapienza. “Bigger sewers, some more than 6-feet in diameter, will help to reduce flooding and new ductile iron water mains will help to ensure a reliable supply of drinking water for the neighborhood.”

“Residents can now enjoy improved streets and sidewalks as well as better stormwater handling when it rains,” said DDC Commissioner Lorraine Grillo. “We are delighted to work with DEP and DOT to improve the quality of life for the residents in Middle Village.”

“This street reconstruction project, which includes roadway repaving, new sidewalks, pedestrian ramps and lighting, will help improve the quality of life in Middle Village,” said DOT Queens Borough Commissioner Nicole Garcia. “We thank all of our partners in government and especially the local residents who can now enjoy the completion of this critical infrastructure investment.”

Work occurred on 18 individual blocks. To alleviate flooding and sewer backup, more than 4,600 feet of new, larger combined sewers were installed, ranging up to 11-feet wide by 6.5-feet high. Five new underground chambers were installed to increase the holding capacity of sewer discharge and stormwater runoff in the neighborhood. To better capture stormwater and direct it to the upgraded sewers, 16 new catch basins were installed and 48 old catch basins were replaced.

To improve the long-term reliability of the water delivery system, 5,800 feet of water mains were replaced, ranging from six inches to 12 inches in diameter. Fire protection was enhanced with the replacement of 19 old fire hydrants and three fire alarm boxes.

Compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) was improved with the upgrading of 47 pedestrian ramps.

As part of the final street restoration, 6,350 square feet of sidewalks and 6,670 feet of curbs were reconstructed. Approximately 23,645 square yards of roadway was repaved. Throughout the project area, 26 old trees were removed but 45 will be planted in the fall, a net gain of 19 trees. To ensure street visibility, three streetlamps were replaced.

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 long-term vision of growth, sustainability, resiliency, equity and healthy living, DDC provides communities with new or renovated public buildings such as firehouses, libraries, police precincts, and new or upgraded roads, sewers and water mains in all five boroughs. To manage this $14 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.

About the NYC Department of Environmental Protection

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 8.3 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. DEP has a robust capital program, with a planned $20.1 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. 

About the NYC Department of Transportation

NYC DOT's mission is to provide for the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible movement of people and goods, and to maintain and enhance the transportation infrastructure crucial to the economic vitality and quality of life of New York City residents. More than 5,000 DOT employees oversee one of the most complex urban transportation networks in the world, managing 6,000 miles of streets and highways, 12,000 miles of sidewalk, and 794 bridges and tunnels, including the iconic East River bridges. Our staff also installs and maintains more than one million street signs, 12,000 signalized intersections, 315,000 street lights, and 200 million linear feet of street markings. DOT promotes the use of sustainable modes of transportation, designing bicycle facilities, bus lanes, and public plazas. DOT also operates the Staten Island Ferry, which serves over 22 million people annually. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dot.