City Completes $46 Million Project to Raise Streets and Reduce Flooding in Broad Channel, Queens

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City Completes $46 Million Project to Raise Streets and Reduce Flooding in Broad Channel, Queens

$67 Million Phase 2 Begins, To Address Even Larger Area in Same Neighborhood

DEP: Ted Timbers, 718-595-6600, deppressoffice@dep.nyc.gov

DOT: Brian Zumhagen, 646-574-2429, bzumhagen@dot.nyc.gov

DDC: Ian Michaels, 646-939-6514, Michaelia@ddc.nyc.gov

(Broad Channel, NY – August 18, 2020) The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) and NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) today joined with the Broad Channel Civic Association and local elected officials to announce the completion of phase 1 of construction in Broad Channel, Queens, a $46 million project which raised streets and added almost half a mile of new storm sewers to reduce flooding in an area that is frequently inundated by Jamaica Bay during high tides and storms. DDC managed the project for DEP and DOT.

Phase 2 of the work, a $67.7 million project that will affect an even larger adjacent area, began this summer and is anticipated to be completed in summer 2024.

Streets in Broad Channel were raised to reduce their vulnerability to climate change and received new storm sewers, curbs, shared sidewalks, signs and crosswalks

“The residents and businesses of Broad Channel have a special relationship with the natural world and Jamaica Bay in particular,” said DEP Commissioner Vincent Sapienza. “These New Yorkers are on the front lines of our changing climate and we were so pleased to join with our partner agencies to bring them some real relief with raised roadways and new catch basins, sewers and outfalls to drain the water from the roadways and away from their properties.”

“Broad Channel is a beautiful and thriving community along Jamaica Bay, but one that is uniquely vulnerable to future storms, flooding and climate change,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “Along with our partners at DEP and DDC, we are so proud to be part of the massive effort to protect this community from future storms — and the flooding that is more and more the result of climate change. With new bulkheads and catch basins, along with raised and reconstructed streets and pedestrian ramps, this project improves the safety and quality of life for generations to come in Broad Channel.”

“This is a unique part of Queens that is highly vulnerable to flooding because of climate change and rising sea levels, and the City went above and beyond to not just add storm sewers but also raise the streets,” DDC Commissioner Lorraine Grillo. “We look forward to working with DEP and DOT to bring these improvements to other parts of Broad Channel.”

New bulkheads reinforce the end of each street against tides and storms, and provide for drainage of water from the new storm sewers into Jamaica Bay

“I would like to thank DOT, DEP, DDC, the Queens Borough President’s office and community leaders, like Dan Mundy, for all their hard work on this project. As we all know, this is an area that was hard-hit by Sandy, and this massive street raising initiative will help to mitigate flooding in vulnerable areas throughout the community. I would also like to thank the residents of Broad Channel, who have been extremely patient throughout this entire process,” said Council Member Eric Ulrich. “Phase 1 was a great success, and we look forward to the completion of Phase 2, which will bring the same improvements to West 14th Road, West 15th Road, West 16th Road and West 17th Road.”

“New Yorkers living near the waterfront areas of the City have been among the most vulnerable to hightides, storms, and hurricanes. Broad Channel was among one of the most impacted communities by Hurricane Sandy in the City, with water levels rising 8-10 feet. It is encouraging to know that DEP, DOT, and DDC have worked together to raise streets levels and reduce flooding,” said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, Chairman of the Transportation Committee. “I hope to continue working alongside Mayor de Blasio, DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg, DEP Commissioner Vincent Sapienza, DDC Commissioner Lorraine Grill, Speaker Johnson, my colleagues at the Council and advocates to ensure we continue improving the City’s waterfront resilience.”

“Broad Channel and its residents have long suffered from flooding and damage after heavy periods of rain due and surges to the area’s proximity to Jamaica Bay,” State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. said. “This project, with its new storm sewers and raised streets will go a long way in protecting this vulnerable community from large storms and flooding, thus improving the living conditions in Broad Channel. I would like to thank NYC DEP, NYC DOT and NYC DDC for their work on this important project, and I look forward to the next phase.”

A new bulkhead protects homes and drains stormwater

“Today we have reached a great milestone for the Broad Channel community, who for years have fought to protect their residents from flooding and water damage from storms and other extreme weather events,” said Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato. “By investing in innovative infrastructure measures now, we are preventing future loss of homes and property, and saving ourselves millions of dollars in the long run. This victory today was only achieved through hard work on a granular level: constant phone calls with all stakeholders, meetings between contractors and individual homeowners, and numerous information sessions led by Dan Mundy Jr. and the Civic Association. I want to thank all of our partners in government including DDC, DOT and DEP for working with the community and civic leaders for on this project.”

West 11th Road, West 12th Road and West 13th Road from Cross Bay Boulevard west to the waterline were all rebuilt from the ground up during the project on more than 40,000 feet of piles driven 50 feet or more into the ground. The new streets are approximately two feet higher than before and now have 2,300 feet of new storms sewers with nine new catch basins, plus new bulkheads and outfalls that were added at the end of each street to allow stormwater to drain into the Bay. Another six existing catch basins were replaced at Cross Bay Boulevard.

About 2,400 feet of sanitary sewers and 2,400 feet of water mains were replaced to ensure reliable water and sewer service, while nine fire hydrants were replaced to improve fire protection. During final restoration of the area, 2,500 feet of curbs and sidewalks were rebuilt and four new pedestrian ramps were added at Cross Bay Boulevard to improve safety and ADA accessibility.

Phase 2 of the work will provide similar upgrades to residents on West 14th Road, West 15th Road, West 16th Road and West 17th Road.

To manage the needs of residents and businesses during phase 2 construction, DDC has a full-time Community Construction Liaison (CCL) assigned to the project. Anna Killion 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. Killion works on-site and is directly accessible to the public at (347) 374-0930 or by email at Killionan@ddc.nyc.gov.

About the NYC Department of Environmental Protection
DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing approximately 1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water each day to more than 9 million residents, including 8.3 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 a robust capital program, with a planned $20.1 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.

About the NYC Department of Transportation
NYC DOT's mission is to provide for the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible movement of people and goods, and to maintain and enhance the transportation infrastructure crucial to the economic vitality and quality of life of New York City residents. More than 5,000 DOT employees oversee one of the most complex urban transportation networks in the world, managing 6,000 miles of streets and highways, 12,000 miles of sidewalk, and 794 bridges and tunnels, including the iconic East River bridges. Our staff also installs and maintains more than one million street signs, 12,000 signalized intersections, 315,000 street lights, and 200 million linear feet of street markings. DOT promotes the use of sustainable modes of transportation, designing bicycle facilities, bus lanes, and public plazas. DOT also operates the Staten Island Ferry, which serves over 22 million people annually.

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 $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.