The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) and the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) announced Wednesday, July 31, that they have started their planned $51.8 million infrastructure project in Rosedale.
The project, which the DDC is managing, will address reoccurring flooding in the flood-prone neighborhood, among other plans. Project highlights will include improved tap water distribution, reconstructed streets and new transportation improvements in the area. The projected completion date is scheduled for winter 2026.
The project will add 92 catch basins and upgrade or install nearly 1.5 miles of local storm sewers and over half a mile of sanitary sewers. The new catch basins will help to drain precipitation from the roadways, while 13 underground storm chambers will further boost water holding capacity.
About 2 miles of water mains will be upgraded from 6-8-inch cast iron pipes to more durable 8-12-inch ductile iron pipes. Additionally, 14 new fire hydrants will be added and 21 existing fire hydrants will be upgraded to guarantee firefighters’ access to the city’s water supply during emergencies.
Rosedale roadways and sidewalks will also receive a major fix. The project calls for the reconstruction of 36 blocks with new roadways and the replacement of over 4.5 miles of damaged and/or broken curbs. The city also plans to fix 4.5 acres of sidewalks. Additionally, 130 ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps will be constructed in the area.
The multi-million dollar project is projected to improve traffic safety and traffic flow on major roadways such as Francis Lewis Boulevard, Hook Creek Boulevard and Hungry Harbor Road. Traffic signs, pavement markings, bus pads, street lighting and traffic signals will be added or upgraded and over 140 new street trees will also be planted in the area.
Thomas Foley, commissioner of the DDC, said that Rosedale residents have long needed the improvements outlined in the plan. “They have waited and dealt with flooding for far too long. This project will upgrade the drainage system and water distribution system and add catch basins to direct stormwater. Broken curbs, roads and sidewalks will also be fixed to better serve pedestrians and riders,” Foley said in a statement.
Rohit T. Aggarwala, commissioner of the DEP, echoed Foley’s views. “As climate change brings more extreme rainfall, this $51 million investment will ensure better stormwater drainage, as well as tap water distribution, in Rosedale and improve the lives of property and business owners in this area for decades to come,” he said in a statement.
The massive reconstruction project is part of the city’s $2.64 billion investment into southeast Queens. The city aims to create a comprehensive drainage system, improve street conditions and alleviate flooding in neighborhoods throughout the area. The program, the largest of its kind, consists of 46 projects overall, including 24 that have already been completed.
