Road restoration on 130th Avenue. Image Credit: NYC DEP

The project is set to be completed one season early and over $1 million under budget. On March 4, 2020, the NYC Department of Environmental Protection announced that a major infrastructure upgrade project in Rosedale, Queens, would be completed ahead of schedule. The area, from 130th Avenue to the north, 133th Avenue to the South, and Brookville Boulevard to the west, is part of an area in southeast Queens that has faced flooding in the past.

The project spanned over 27 blocks. Almost one mile of new storm sewers and 115 feet of combined sewers were added. Additionally, 2,050 feet of combined sewers were replaced to expand and upgrade drainage capacity. Ten new catch basins were installed and another 39 catch basins were replaced. The area’s water delivery system was also upgraded; 425 feet of water mains and 22 manholes were replaced and another 57 manholes were added. 

The final street restoration will be completed in the spring when the weather is consistently 40 degrees or higher. Over 6,700 feet of roadway will be laid down. Additionally, 525 plants will be planted in Conselyea Park.

Orange lines show affected streets. Image Credit: NYC DEP (Click for larger map)

The project was funded by the Department of Environmental Protection and managed by the Department of Design and Construction. The $12 million allocated for this project is a part of a $1.9 billion investment by the City to improve street and flooding conditions throughout southeast Queens. 

DDC Commissioner Lorraine Grillo stated, “There have been several recent projects to upgrade infrastructure in Rosedale, and we thank the community for their cooperation as the City works to alleviate flooding and improve streets in the neighborhood. The Southeast Queens Initiative is the largest investment of its kind by the City, and represents a major commitment to an area that has been historically underserved.”

Council Member Donovan Richards stated, “With every infrastructure project completed, Southeast Queens gets closer to finally having the proper investment to address systemic flooding issues caused by the severe lack of stormwater infrastructure. As part of the $1.9 billion project to improve street and flooding conditions throughout Southeast Queens, this $12 million project will provide long overdue relief to 27 blocks in Rosedale by improving street conditions, alleviating flooding and upgrading infrastructure.”

By: Veronica Rose (Veronica is the CityLaw fellow and a New York Law School graduate, Class of 2018).