Border Sewer Project Aims To Stop Flood Woes
Work is finally scheduled to begin today, Nov. 20, on a multi-million $25 million sewer upgrade in Maspeth and Woodside regarded as a remedy to local flooding problems in surrounding neighborhoods.
Complications in relocating underground utility lines reportedly forced the city Department of Design and Construction (DDC) to delay the project replacing sewer and water lines below Calamus Avenue between 69th and 74th streets and 69th Street between Calamus Avenue and Queens Boulevard. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced back in March that the project’s start date was imminent.
With both streets prepared for work, the DDC will begin its work along segments of Calamus Avenue, resulting in a daytime disruption of water service for residents living along the roadway between 72nd and 79th streets. Water service was also interrupted on 74th Street between 51st and 52nd roads.
Crews are installing an 85- inch barrel sewer line under Calamus Avenue to support an existing 96-inch circular line already there. They will also put in an 85-inch barrel line to work with two similar circular lines in place below 69th Street.
These pipes aim to expand capacity in the local sewer network, which feeds sewage and rainwater to the Newtown Creek Water Treatment Plant and other water processing facilities in the city. Community activists long sought the upgrade after flash floods following summer thunderstorms in 2007 damaged homes and businesses in Maspeth, Woodside and nearby Middle Village.
Along with the sewer upgrades, crews will also install new water mains, manholes and catch basins. Once underground work is completed, the streets will be resurfaced and new street lights and traffic signals will be installed as needed.
The DDC projects the work will be completed in 2016, and until that time, residents can expect limited street access on certain blocks and intermittent water service disruptions. Homeowners will receive written notice of impending shutdowns by 4 p.m. the day before water service is turned off; all service will be restored by 4:30 p.m. on the disruption day.
All streets, however, will be open for deliveries and emergency vehicle access. However, some bus stops and bus routes, however, may be shifted depending on where work takes place. This will primarly affect the Q47 line between Glendale and LaGuardia Airport, which runs on both Calamus Avenue and 69th Street.
Notices will be posted when bus stops are temporarily closed.
To guard against vermin infesting nearby homes and businesses, the DDC noted, crews have placed bait in the construction zone.
Most construction work will take place on weekdays, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Night and weekend work may be necessary at times; the DDC indicated crews will notify residents of any work schedule changes.
