New York City officials announced the completion of a $24 million project to improve street conditions, alleviate flooding, and upgrade infrastructure in the South Jamaica and St. Albans neighborhoods of Queens. The project, which was completed one year ahead of schedule, was funded by the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and was managed by the Department of Design and construction (DDC).
“As each of these projects is completed we are one step closer to our ultimate goal of a comprehensive drainage system for southeast Queens,” said NYC Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “The new storm sewers, resurfaced roadways, rebuilt sidewalks, and 73 new trees will reduce flooding and improve the overall quality of life for the residents of South Jamaica and St. Albans. Thank you to our partners at DDC for completing this project one year ahead of schedule!”
“Working with our DEP partners we were able to complete this project one year ahead of schedule, bringing much needed relief to residents who lived for years with inadequate sewers, roadways and other infrastructure,” said NYC Department of Design and Construction Commissioner Thomas Foley. “We continue to make excellent progress in the $2.5 billion Southeast Queens Initiative, the largest of its kind in the City, and we look forward to completing this program of more than 40 individual projects for the half a million people who live in these historically underserved areas.”
The project is part of a $2.5 billion investment made by the city to build a comprehensive drainage system, improve street conditions, and alleviate flooding in neighborhoods throughout southeast Queens. The program, the largest of its kind, consists of 44 projects overall, including 18 that are substantially completed and three that are in active construction.
Work in South Jamaica and St. Albans began in June 2020 and occurred on nine individual blocks. To alleviate flooding, 3,190 feet of storm sewers ranging from 12 to 66 inches in diameter were added to the neighborhoods, plus an additional 230 feet of existing storm sewers were replaced. Thirteen new catch basins were installed and 35 old ones were replaced to better capture stormwater and direct it to the new storm sewers. The holding capacity of the local sewers was increased with the installation of one new underground chamber and the replacement of an old one. During construction, 1,510 feet of new 10-inch sanitary sewers were added to the neighborhoods and 1,790 feet of sanitary sewers ranging from 8 to 10 inches were replaced.
Water infrastructure reliability was improved with the replacement of 2,950 feet of water mains ranging from 6 to 20 inches in diameter, and an additional 245 feet of water main was added. Fire protection was enhanced with the replacement of seven fire hydrants and the installation of two new ones.
As part of the final street restoration, 72,950 square feet of asphalt was laid down over a new concrete base. Throughout the project area, 27,895 square feet of sidewalk and 2,400 feet of curbs were reconstructed, and 3,155 feet of new curbs were added. The new curbs and sidewalks were graded to help guide stormwater to the area’s new catch basins to ensure adequate street drainage during storms. Compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) was improved with the replacement of 22 pedestrian ramps. 90 new trees were planted and 17 older trees were removed, resulting in a gain of 73 trees overall.
The project was designed by DDC’s In-House team. Construction was completed by Maspeth Supply Co. LLC and engineering services were provided by KS Engineers, P.C.
