NYC completes $26 million infrastructure upgrade in the Bronx

NEW YORK — The Departments of Environmental Protection, Transportation, and Design and Construction announced the completion of a three-year, $26.6 million infrastructure upgrade project in the Williamsbridge neighborhood in the Bronx. The project included the installation of more than three miles of water mains and 69 fire hydrants to ensure the reliable delivery of drinking water to homes and businesses and adequate pressure to fight fires. In addition, more than a mile of sewers and 140 catch basins were installed to ensure the proper drainage of stormwater from streets and sanitary sewage from homes and businesses. Sixty blocks of resurfaced roadway, new sidewalks, curbs, and pedestrian ramps, 144 new street lights, and three new traffic signals will all help to provide a safe environment for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.

The project also included the planting of 48 new trees that will help to clean the air and provide shade in the warmer months. The project was funded by the Departments of Environmental Protection and Transportation and was managed by the Department of Design and Construction.

“Investing in the water distribution and sewer systems, and the fire safety, clean drinking water, and basic sanitation they provide, is critical to the city’s residential, commercial, and industrial growth,” said DEP Commissioner Carter Strickland. “We are planning for an additional $217 million in water and sewer upgrades in the Bronx over the next 10 years to ensure that the infrastructure keeps up with the growth of the borough.”

As part of the work, 560 feet of trunk water mains were installed. Trunk water mains range in size from 36 to 48 inches in diameter. Approximately 16,275 feet of distribution water mains, ranging in size from 6 to 12 inches, were also installed. These upgrades to the water distribution system will provide a critical redundancy to the network and help to minimize disruption to consumers during any future planned maintenance or emergency shutdowns. In addition, 7,163 feet of combined sewers, 347,661 square feet of new sidewalk, 3,436 feet of steel concrete curb, and 177 pedestrian ramps were installed.

Expanding and upgrading the water distribution and sewer collection systems in neighborhoods that need additional capacity to support current residents and businesses, and to meet expected future demand, are key operational goals outlined in Strategy 2011-2014, a far-reaching strategic plan that lays out 100 distinct initiatives to make DEP the safest, most efficient, cost-effective, and transparent water utility in the nation. Since 2002, DEP has invested more than $93.5 million to upgrade water mains and more than $125 million to upgrade sewers in the Bronx. Over the next 10 years, DEP is planning to invest more than $122 million to upgrade water mains and nearly $96 million to upgrade sewers throughout the borough.