The long-stalled Calamus Avenue sewer project has resumed with the instillation of combined sewers, which will cause parking problems for some Maspeth residents.
The city Department of Design and Construction (DDC) announced that the replacement of combined sewers in Calamus Avenue and 69th Street Project began its next phase on Jan. 30; it involves the installation of combined sewers along Calamus Avenue between 70th and 71st streets.
Due to the construction, DDC has temporarily eliminated curbside parking and driveway access beginning at Calamus Avenue between 70th and 71st streets. Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times through the duration of the project.
Work is expected to take place on Mondays through Fridays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
According to DDC, only emergency vehicles will have full access to the street during the construction period. DDC will also monitor operations and will work within the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Noise Code regulations. DDC will restore full access to driveways and street parking when construction activities are completed on each block.
Signs alerting community members of the changes will be posted in the affected areas.
“This project is part of our push, with a lot of co-help from Community Board 2, to decrease the chances of street and basement flooding in that area of Maspeth and Woodside,” said Gary Giordano, district manager of Community Board 5 (CB 5). “Our push for this project dates back to September 2007. The first really bad flood was Aug. 8, 2007. So shortly thereafter, we started pushing for solutions in certain areas where we knew that severe flooding took place.”
Residents who have any questions, concerns, or would like to learn more about the project should call Bita Mehrpour, the project’s community construction liaison at 718-424-1058, or visit the DDC website at www.nyc.gov/ddc.
