DDC Receives “Award of Merit” From ACEC New York Plus Six Engineering Excellence Awards for Capital Projects in the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island

City Island Sub-Aqueous Water Main Project to Also Receive ACEC National Recognition Award

Ian Michaels, 646-939-6514, michaelia@ddc.nyc.gov

(Long Island City, NY – April 21, 2023) Commissioner Thomas Foley of the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) announced today that the agency has received the “Award of Merit” from the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York (ACEC New York) plus six awards for capital projects in the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island as part of the organization’s 2023 Engineering Excellence Awards. In addition, DDC’s project to bring new water mains to City Island will also receive a national award from ACEC in Washington in June.

Commissioner Foley accepted the “Award of Merit” on DDC’s behalf at the Engineering Excellence Awards Gala held at the Midtown Hilton in Manhattan. The Award is given each year to an agency or organization that has “taken an exceptional leadership role and shown extraordinary initiative in the built environment,” said ACEC New York, adding that, “[DDC’s] work is set to be emulated by other capital agencies, including through DDC’s pilot program of ideas and initiatives which are now being incorporated in City Hall’s Capital Process Reform Task Force final recommendations.”

“As DDC’s responsibilities expand to include coastal resiliency, green infrastructure and large programs such as Borough-Based Jails, the need to reform the capital process grows even more urgent, “said DDC Commissioner Thomas Foley. “Thank you to ACEC New York for supporting this great effort to improve capital construction. And congratulations to the DDC staff who worked on our three projects that also received awards. These projects are a good demonstration of the many different ways that DDC staff build the City from the ground up.”

City Island Sub-Aqueous Water Mains

DDC’s $34 million project to build a new water main connection under Eastchester Bay to City Island received a Diamond Award in the category of Special Projects from ACEC New York. The project will also receive a National Recognition Award from national ACEC in June. DDC managed the project for the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Engineers utilized horizontal directional drilling technology to create two 2000-foot pathways under Eastchester Bay for the pipes to travel from the Rodman’s Neck peninsula on the mainland toward City Island. Work on City Island itself included the construction of a receiving pit where the new pipes would tie into the local water main distribution system. The bike path on City Island Bridge and the bike path that connects Pelham Bay Park to City Island were restored. The pedestrian pathway to connect the Catherine Scott promenade to the Pelham Bay bike path was restored with asphalt hexagonal pavers.

The new pipelines replace an older 12-inch subaqueous water main and a temporary 16-inch main that was previously installed on the City Island Bridge, and which has been removed. Construction also included the addition of new fire hydrants on Pelham Bay Park and City Island.

Morrison Avenue Plaza

Also in the Bronx, DDC’s $8.8 million effort to build the new Morrison Avenue Plaza was cited with a Silver Award in the category of Special Projects. DDC managed the project for the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) and DEP.

The new plaza increases pedestrian space and amenities at a busy intersection under the Morrison Avenue-Soundview subway station as part of a citywide plan to transform underused streets into vibrant public spaces. The plaza was expanded by 2,400 square feet, bringing the overall area of the plaza to 8,500 square feet.

The transformation also included new decorative concrete paving, granite seating, planting areas, additional lighting, bike racks, movable tables and chairs, a drinking water and bottle refill station, and other amenities to enhance walking and cycling along the bustling Westchester Ave corridor. These enhancements along with new street lighting and traffic signals provide safety benefits to the surrounding area. Additionally, below ground, 600 feet of old 8- and 12-inch water mains along with 260 feet of 12-inch storm sewers were replaced. Ten new catch basins were added to reduce street flooding.

Foch Boulevard

DDC’s $24 million project at Foch Boulevard to improve street conditions, alleviate flooding and upgrade infrastructure in South Jamaica and St. Albans, Queens, received a Diamond Award in the category of Special Projects. DDC managed the project for DEP.

Almost 3,200 feet of storm sewers were added to the neighborhoods along with 13 new catch basins. More than 1,500 feet of new 10-inch sanitary sewers were added and 1,790 feet of sanitary sewers ranging from 8 to 10 inches were replaced. Water infrastructure reliability was improved with the replacement of 2,950 feet of water mains ranging from 6 to 20 inches in diameter, and an additional 245 feet of water main was added. Fire protection was enhanced with the replacement of seven fire hydrants and the installation of two new ones.

Roadway, curbs and sidewalks were reconstructed throughout the project area. Compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) was improved with the replacement of 22 pedestrian ramps. Ninety new trees were planted and 17 older trees were removed, resulting in a gain of 73 trees overall.

The project is part of a $2.65 billion investment made by the City to build a comprehensive drainage system, improve street conditions and alleviate flooding in neighborhoods throughout southeast Queens. The program, the largest of its kind, consists of 44 projects overall, including 18 that are already completed.

Beach 108th Street Streetscape

DDC’s $20.5 million project to rebuild Beach 108th Street in Queens from Jamaica Bay to the Atlantic Ocean with resiliency features including porous pavement for flood control received a Silver Award in the category of Transportation. DDC managed the project for DEP and DOT.

The project rebuilt an area that was greatly affected by Superstorm Sandy and which remains vulnerable to the effects of climate change and future storms. About 1,100 feet of storm sewers were repaired or replaced and an additional 140 feet of new storm sewers were added.  More than a mile of old concrete curb was replaced along with more than 18,000 square yards of asphalt. New drainage features include more than 11,000 square feet of new permeable concrete slabs to allow for natural stormwater drainage.

In addition, a new 1,600-foot-long median was installed with a two-way bike lane, 58 new trees and four new benches. The addition of angled parking added over 20 new parking spots to the community as well. About 6,000 feet of old water mains were also replaced and two new fire hydrants were added.

Stormwater BMPs and Bluebelt in Travis, Staten Island

DDC’s $33.1 million drainage upgrade and Bluebelt construction in the Travis neighborhood of Staten Island received a Silver Award in the category of Special Projects. DDC managed the project for DEP.

The work included the installation of new storm sewers, sanitary sewers, water mains, catch basins and fire hydrants. In addition, a new Bluebelt wetland was built to store, filter and direct the stormwater away from homes and businesses and towards the Arthur Kill. As part of the project, more than 8,400 feet of new storm sewers with 90 new catch basins were installed. Additionally, seven new underground storm chambers were built to further increase the capacity of the storm sewer system.

Complementing the drainage upgrade is the newly constructed Bluebelt wetland, which is approximately one acre in size and consists of an outlet stilling basin situated where the new storm sewer discharges. A stone-faced outfall directs stormwater from the upgraded drainage network into the newly built wetland area. To foster a diverse habitat for wildlife, the Bluebelt was planted with 370 shrubs and 120 trees.

Almost four miles of old water mains were replaced. Fire protection was enhanced with the addition of 11 new fire hydrants and the replacement of 50 existing fire hydrants. Almost 3,500 linear feet of sanitary sewers were replaced, and streets, curbs and sidewalks were rebuilt.

Keegans Lane and Eagan Avenue, Staten Island

Also in Staten Island, DDC’s $30 million project to alleviate flooding and upgrade infrastructure along Keegans Lane and Eagan Avenue and also implement best management practices on Fairlawn Avenue in Staten Island received a Silver Award in the category of Waste and Storm Water.

More than 4,600 feet of storm sewers were added to the neighborhood along with 49 catch basins and the replacement of 14 old ones. A new 20-feet by 28-feet outlet stilling basin was installed to control the effects of large volumes of water and erosion and an to accompany this, a new 54-inch stormwater outfall was installed to carryout water into the Great Kills Harbor. Almost 1,800 feet of new sanitary sewer was installed and 485 feet of old sanitary sewer was replaced.

Work also included the replacement of 8,600 feet of water mains and the installation of two new insulated joint chambers. To ensure that the FDNY has access to the City’s water supply during emergencies, 19 fire hydrants were replaced and four new ones were added to the area.

As part of the final street restoration, 327,000 square feet of roadway, 9,100 square feet of sidewalk and 4,300 feet of curbs were reconstructed. Compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) was improved with the replacement of 14 pedestrian ramps and installation of four new ones.

 

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 Adams’ 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 $15.5 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.