City Completes $17.3 Million Sewer and Street Upgrade in Rosedale, Queens

September 24, 2021

5,000 feet of new water mains; 2,800 feet of new storm sewers; 44,000 feet of new or rebuilt sidewalks to make neighborhood more resilient than ever

NEW YORK—Mayor Bill de Blasio and the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) and NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) announced today the completion of a $17.3 million project two months ahead of schedule to improve street conditions, alleviate flooding and upgrade infrastructure in Rosedale, Queens.

 

Revamped roadways, sidewalks and curbs throughout the project area are designed to guide stormwater to the newly installed storm sewers

 

The project is part of a $2.2 billion investment by the de Blasio Administration to build a comprehensive drainage system, improve street conditions and alleviate flooding in southeast Queens. The program, the largest of its kind, consists of 43 projects overall, including 16 that are substantially completed, five that are in active construction and 11 that are in design.

“As extreme climate events become more frequent, infrastructure investments in our roads and sewers only become more critical,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “The completion of this project will not only improve Rosedale’s street conditions and alleviate flooding, it will also ensure safer and more resilient streets for years to come.”

“This $17.3 million investment to install new storm sewers and catch basins in Rosedale delivers on the de Blasio Administration’s commitment to upgrading and improving the drainage infrastructure in Southeast Queens,” said DEP Commissioner Vincent Sapienza. “I want to thank our partners at DDC and DOT for their impressive work on this project, completing it about two months ahead of schedule and just in time for hurricane season.”

“Extreme climate change events underscore the importance of infrastructure projects like this one, and these infrastructure upgrades represent a significant investment in Southeast Queens," said DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman. “We are committed to continuing to work with our fellow city agencies to keep our roads in a state of good repair and protected from flooding.”

“This important component of the de Blasio Administration’s Southeast Queens Initiative was completed about two months ahead of schedule, installing new streets and storm sewers that will help address flooding induced by climate change,” said DDC Commissioner Jamie Torres-Springer. “With DEP and DOT, we continue to implement major infrastructure investments throughout southeast Queens.”

 

 

Work in Rosedale occurred on 10 individual blocks. More than one mile (5,500 feet) of water mains, some of which were installed before World War II, were replaced with new pipes ranging from eight to 12 inches in diameter. Fire protection was enhanced with the replacement of 15 fire hydrants and installation of four new fire hydrants. Two bollards were placed in front of each fire hydrant to protect them from potential vehicle damage.

A total of 2,780 feet of new storm sewers were added to the neighborhoods, ranging in size from 15 inches in diameter up to three feet by five feet. To better capture stormwater and direct it to the new storm sewers, 35 new catch basins were installed and nine existing ones were replaced. Nearly 300 feet of new 10-inch sanitary sewer was installed and 400 feet of sanitary sewers were replaced with pipes ranging from 10 to 12 inches. Two new underground sewer chambers help the new infrastructure in the neighborhood operate at peak efficiency.

As part of the final street restoration, 17,570 square yards of new asphalt was laid down over a new concrete base and 43,775 square feet of sidewalk and 8,775 feet of curbs were added or rebuilt. Throughout the project area, 27 old trees were removed but 57 new trees were planted, resulting in a net gain of 30 trees overall.

Compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) was improved with the replacement of 39 old pedestrian ramps and the addition of 10 new ADA-compliant ones.

“The completed work in Rosedale is an important investment in our borough’s future that will do a great deal to enhance street conditions, alleviate flooding, increase storm resiliency, and improve accessibility,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “This work underscores the City’s strong commitment to alleviating chronic flooding and addressing our borough’s significant infrastructure needs. I commend the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Design and Construction for working together so effectively to improve the quality-of-life of Rosedale’s residents.”

“Flooding is a persistent problem in Rosedale and other parts of Southeast Queens and the Rockaways,” said State Senator James Sanders Jr. “I am glad the city is taking this seriously and making strides to help homeowners and businesses who suffer constant damage as a result of rising water, however, more needs to be done and I would like to see continued efforts by this administration to help all neighborhoods that are experiencing this issue.”

“For as long as I can remember, Southeast Queens has had issues with flooding and rising groundwater. It’s therefore important the City’s agencies such as DEP and DDC undertake projects such as this which would help address the issue in our neighborhoods,” said Assembly Member Alicia Hyndman.  “Although this is a great step in the right direction, a lot more needs to be done to ensure our neighborhoods, including homeowners and businesses who constantly have to deal with damages as a result of flooding are well taken care of. I am grateful for the continuous work and dedication of DEP and DDC staff committed to upgrading and improving the drainage infrastructure in Southeast Queens.”

“As recent record-breaking storms as a result of climate change occurs more frequently, the time to prepare is now,” said Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers. “This critical project is exactly what Rosedale needs to prevent the chronic flooding that routinely impacts our community. By investing in resilient infrastructure, expanding the capacity of our catch basins and storm drains, we can ensure safer streets across Southeast Queens.”