City Celebrates New Infrastructure and Pavement on Braddock Avenue, the Former “Worst Street in Queens”

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City Celebrates New Infrastructure and Pavement on Braddock Avenue, the Former “Worst Street in Queens”

DDC: Shoshana Khan, 718-391-1251, KhanSho@ddc.nyc.gov

(Queens Village, NY – July 15, 2021) City officials joined today with local elected officials, civic leaders and members of the community to celebrate new water mains, new sewers and street repaving on Braddock Avenue between Hillside Avenue and Cross Island Parkway in Queens Village.

Braddock Avenue, previously known to many as the “worst street in Queens," was repaved by DOT after DDC installed new water mains and sewers in part of the problem area

“The replacement of water mains and sewers in part of Braddock Avenue is made possible by the De Blasio administration’s ongoing $1.9 billion commitment to improve infrastructure and street conditions throughout southeast Queens,” said DDC Commissioner Jamie Torres-Springer. “The program, which consists of 44 separate infrastructure projects, is the largest of its type in the five boroughs and is transforming neighborhoods throughout an area that has been historically underserved by City investments.”

“I often referred to Braddock Avenue as the worst street in Queens because of its terrible condition,” said Council Member Barry Grodenchik. “But now, we can celebrate its repaving, thanks to the advocacy of local civic organizations and the hard work of the New York City Department of Transportation, the New York City Department of Design and Construction and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection.”

“Residents of Queens Village have been plagued for years with crumbling infrastructure,” said State Senator John C. Liu. “As a major thoroughfare between Hillside Avenue and Jamaica Avenue, the resurfacing of Braddock Avenue has been long overdue. Much thanks to the City and Council Member Grodenchik for taking the necessary steps to get this project going and working with the residents’ concerns during the construction process to provide immediate relief to the community.”

“I rejoice with the residents and businesses of Queens who can now use Braddock Avenue safely. For years, it was left in disrepair, but the community did not remain silent about it,” said Assembly Member David I. Weprin. “Speaking up brought about the improvements we see here today. Thank you to the Department of Transportation for making these much-needed repairs to our urban infrastructure.”

“QCB13 is extremely pleased by the leadership taken by Council Member Barry S. Grodenchik in getting the relevant parties on the same page for this important thoroughfare in Bellerose to get repaved,” said Community Board 13 District Manager Mark McMillan. “It has been a moonscape for too many years, damaging cars, trucks, and buses that have the unfortunate experience of having to drive on this roadway. Residents and businesses can finally have the benefit of Braddock Avenue as a smooth street in their neighborhood.”

DOT, DEP and DDC joined City officials, elected officials and local civic leaders to celebrate the repaving of Braddock Avenue

Prior to DOT repaving the full length of Braddock Avenue from Hillside Avenue to the Cross Island Parkway, DDC worked with DEP to upgrade underground infrastructure between Billings Street and Ransom Street. A total of 510 feet of new water mains were installed, 3,000 feet of older water mains were replaced and 260 feet of existing sanitary sewers were replaced as part of a larger $58 million project to improve street conditions, alleviate flooding and upgrade infrastructure along sections of Francis Lewis Boulevard, 90th Avenue and Braddock Avenue. The larger project, which is anticipated to be completed in summer 2022, is being managed by DDC for DEP and DOT.

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 $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.