$62 Million Project Begins to Rebuild Streets and Infrastructure in Bergen Beach, Brooklyn

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$62 Million Project Begins to Rebuild Streets and Infrastructure in Bergen Beach, Brooklyn

March 22, 2019

DDC: Ian Michaels, 718-391-1589, MichaelsI@ddc.nyc.gov
DEP: Douglas Auer, 718-595-6600, dauer@dep.nyc.gov
DOT: Brian Zumhagen, 212-839-4850, bzumhagen@dot.nyc.gov

Brooklyn, NY – The NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC), NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) and NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced today that a $62 million project has begun in the Bergen Beach section of Brooklyn that will upgrade infrastructure, resolve local street flooding and add curbs and sidewalks to several local streets for the first time. The project, which is being managed by DDC for DOT and DEP, is scheduled to be completed in summer 2023.

A $62 million project will upgrade street conditions and infrastructure in Bergen Beach, Brooklyn

“We are proud to join the Mayor’s Office, DDC and DEP in an effort to dramatically improve street conditions in Bergen Beach, including addressing frequent flooding along Bergen Avenue, the neighborhood’s first line of defense against flooding from Paerdegat Basins,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “For our part, DOT will also continue our relentless focus on Vision Zero in Southern Brooklyn, bringing new sidewalks, crosswalks and other safety features that will make this community much more pedestrian-friendly.”

Current street conditions on Bergen Avenue

"This project with our partners at DDC and DOT will bring new sewers and catch basins to Bergen Beach, greatly increasing the neighborhood’s drainage capacity and helping to alleviate localized street flooding,” said DEP Commissioner Vincent Sapienza. “This work will also be a wonderful complement to the $455 million holistic upgrade Paerdegat Basin underwent several years ago, which has dramatically improved the cleanliness of the waterway as well as the ecological health of the whole area, including Jamaica Bay.”“This is a large investment in the community to improve local street conditions and resolve persistent flooding issues,” said DDC Commissioner Lorraine Grillo. “We’re very pleased to work with our partners at DOT and DEP to bring these types of street improvements to neighborhoods throughout Brooklyn.”

“This investment in Bergen Beach will not only ensure a safer community and smoother streets for residents, but will also bolster our coastline’s stormwater management system,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams. “Investments to modernize and update our flood infrastructure systems are integral to strengthen the borough’s resiliency measures in the face of climate change. I thank New York City’s Departments of Design and Construction, Transportation and Environmental Protection for advancing this important work in Southern Brooklyn.”

“Great news for the Bergen Beach and Georgetown communities. We have waited a long time for this project to be resumed after a delay of 10 years. It is essential that our local infrastructure be brought up to modern standards, and I’m happy it’s finally being completed,” said Council Member Alan Maisel.

"I commend the Department of Design and Construction, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Environmental Protection for recognizing the constant flooding issues Bergen Beach faces and putting forth a project to resolve this. I look forward to these improvements and hope to see more neighborhoods in Brooklyn receive necessary upgrades regarding their infrastructure and safety," said State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud.

“I not only represent the 59th Assembly District, I reside in the district and know this area all too well. The flooding and the roadway deterioration have been a plague and danger to so many in the Bergen Beach area, and I emphatically applaud the Department of Design and Construction, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Environmental Protection for embarking on this noble endeavor. I know that the result will help foster and allow the 59th Assembly District to continue to blossom,” said Assembly Member Jaime Williams.

The project will involve work on 40 blocks in the neighborhood, which is located next to Paerdegat Basin between Ralph Avenue and the Belt Parkway. More than four miles (21,143 feet) of existing 8- and 12-inch water mains plus 50 existing fire hydrants will be replaced, while another 20 new fire hydrants will be installed throughout the neighborhood.

More than one mile (5,599 feet) of existing storm sewers will be replaced, in many cases with larger pipes ranging from 12 to 54 inches in diameter. Drainage will be enhanced with 67 new catch basins, while catch basins at 132 existing locations will be replaced with new ones.

Several blocks of Bergen Avenue will receive new sidewalks along Paerdegat Basin where none existed before as the project will install 25,500 square feet of new sidewalks and 1,700 linear feet of new curbs. Another 279,330 square feet of sidewalk and 30,650 linear feet of curbs will be replaced. Finally, more than 69,000 square yards of new asphalt will be put down as part of the final street restoration.

Work will also include upgrades to local street lighting and traffic signals. A total of 67 street corners will also receive sidewalk extensions. At the end of construction, approximately 200 additional trees will be added to the neighborhood.

To manage the needs of residents and businesses during construction, DDC has a full-time Community Construction Liaison (CCL) assigned to the project. CCL Gina Modoo keeps the neighborhood apprised of construction progress, coordinates street closures and utility shutoffs and can arrange special requests such as deliveries to local homes and businesses. Ms. Modoo works on-site and is directly accessible to the public at 718-280-5417 or by email at bergenavenueccl@gmail.com.

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 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 more than 1 billion gallons of high quality drinking water each day to more than 9.6 million residents, including 8.6 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 $19.4 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.