The city has completed a key infrastructure project in Maspeth a year ahead of schedule and more than 44% under budget. The city’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) on May 8 announced the completion of the $2.25 million capital project that replaced more than a mile of old water mains in a neighborhood just south of the Long Island Expressway that was anticipated to cost $4.06 million.
“Our administration is working every day to upgrade aging water infrastructure across the city, and delivering this project under budget and ahead of schedule is exactly how we ‘Get Stuff Done,” Mayor Eric Adams said. “New York City is adapting to the realities of climate change in real-time and improving the quality of life for New Yorkers in every corner of the city. Thank you to the DDC and DEP teams for making the most of our taxpayer dollars and getting this done for the community.”
The neighborhood is between 61st Street and 64th Street from Borden Avenue south to Maspeth Avenue and includes stretches of Hull Avenue, Clinton Avenue and a two-block stretch of Remsen Place. Construction got underway last July and was expected to take until June 2024 to complete.
“The completion of the water mains project in Maspeth by the DEP and DDC, a year ahead of schedule and under budget, is remarkable,” Councilman Robert Holden said. “Investing in local infrastructure is crucial for the community’s well-being and I applaud the city’s efforts in completing the project swiftly, without a major inconvenience to residents.”
In order to improve water supply reliability, 5,960 feet of older water mains, many of which were in service for more than 100 years, were replaced with concrete-lined ductile iron pipes that are less vulnerable to leaks.
“These new water mains will help enhance the quality of life in Maspeth and I thank DEP and DDC for working to complete this important project, and doing so ahead of schedule and under budget,” Congresswoman Grace Meng said. “As I’ve said many times, we must make the investments we need to upgrade our aging infrastructure in Queens and across New York City and this includes our crucial water infrastructure that ensures safe drinking water for local residents and future generations. I look forward to these improvements benefiting the area for many years to come.”
The new mains range from 6 to 12 inches in diameter and in some areas replace smaller mains.
“So many Americans have learned hard lessons about the critical importance of water infrastructure,” state Senator Michael Gianaris said. “I am glad this urgently needed water pipe improvement in Maspeth was done to ensure Queens neighbors have high quality, safe drinking water.”
Additionally, 19 old fire hydrants were replaced with new ones, and 1,380 square feet of broken sidewalks were replaced throughout the project area.
“As climate change continues to bear down on our borough, replacing our aging infrastructure to alleviate flooding and building more resilient water systems could not be more critical,” Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said. “Thank you to DEP and DDC for their quick and efficient work to improve the quality of life for Maspeth residents while making Queens a more sustainable place to call home.”
The project was completed last week using about 56% of the original budget.
“This water main upgrade was accomplished quickly and efficiently thanks to the in-house DDC team which managed it,” DDC Commissioner Thomas Foley said. “That means money saved for taxpayers and less disruption for the community while we improve local water service – a win for everyone involved. Congratulations to the DDC project team.”
DEP Commissioner Rohit Aggarwala said the project was a win-win for the two agencies and the Maspeth community.
”Getting high-quality water to every tap across the five boroughs requires regular investments in our infrastructure and by replacing the water mains that had served this neighborhood for a century, we significantly reduce the risk of leaks and breaks,” Aggarwala said. “Thank you to the DDC team that brought this project in under budget and ahead of schedule, which reduces any disruption to the residents and businesses in the area.”
