City Breaks Ground on $9.3 Million Upgrade of Glen Oaks Drainage System to Reduce Flooding
New Sewers and Catch Basins Will Drain Stormwater From Neighborhood Roadways
A Map of the Project Area and Photos of the Work are Available on DEP’s Flickr Page
New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Acting Commissioner Steven Lawitts and Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Dr. Feniosky Peña-Mora announced that work is underway on a $9.3 million upgrade of the water and sewer infrastructure in the Glen Oaks neighborhood of Queens. The work will include the installation of nearly one mile of new storm sewers and 58 catch basins to drain stormwater from the roadways and mitigate the chronic flooding conditions that can occur during heavy rain. In addition, more than a mile of 60-year-old water pipes will be replaced with new ductile iron mains to improve water distribution and fire protection within the area. DEP is funding the project and DDC is managing the construction, which is expected to be completed in early 2018.
“The hills and valleys of the Glen Oaks neighborhood presented a rather unique engineering challenge and our team has developed a drainage plan that we are confident will help to better manage stormwater, reduce flooding and make the roadways safer for everyone,” said DEP Acting Commissioner Steven Lawitts. “We are excited that shovels are in the ground and look forward to working with our partners at DDC to bring some relief to area residents.”
“Developing top of the line drainage systems is a win-win for Queens and all New York City residents,” said DDC Commissioner Feniosky Peña-Mora. “Once these sewers are installed the city will be stronger and more resilient against flooding, and the neighborhood can be confident that its infrastructure can handle anything that might come its way.”
“Chronic flooding during rain storms has been a quality of life issue for many years in Glen Oaks,” said State Senator Tony Avella. “I want to thank DEP for its investment in this much-needed sewer system project that will help to drain stormwater from area roadways and bring some piece of mind to residents.”
“I would like to thank DEP and the DDC for commencing the vitally necessary sewer and water infrastructure upgrade in Glen Oaks, which residents have been requesting for several years,” said Assemblyman Edward C. Braunstein.
“Investing in our local infrastructure is key to keeping neighborhoods safe from flooding during rain storms,” said Council Member Barry S. Grodenchik. “The $9.3 million upgrades are long overdue and are great news for the residents of Glen Oaks.”
The Glen Oaks neighborhood does not have a traditional storm sewer system and this project will include the construction of 4,579 linear feet of storm sewers. In addition, 1,377 feet of sanitary sewers will be rehabilitated and 6,000 feet of 8-inch and 12-inch water mains will be replaced with new pipes and 21 new fire hydrants will be installed.
DEP manages New York 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. 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 nearly 6,000 employees, including almost 1,000 in the upstate watershed. In addition, DEP has a robust capital program, with a planned $14 billion in investments over the next 10 years that will create up to 3,000 construction-related jobs per year. This capital program is responsible for critical projects like City Water Tunnel No. 3; the Staten Island Bluebelt program, an ecologically sound and cost-effective stormwater management system; the city’s Watershed Protection Program, which protects sensitive lands upstate near the city’s reservoirs in order to maintain their high water quality; and the installation of more than 820,000 Automated Meter Reading devices, which will allow customers to track their daily water use, more easily manage their accounts and be alerted to potential leaks on their properties.
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 $10 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.