Massive Water Main, Sewer Overhaul Begins In Bayside, Flushing

QUEENS, NY -- Bayside and north Flushing can look forward to less floodwater and more of the clean drinking variety, thanks to a massive overhaul that began on the neighborhoods' water systems, city officials announced Monday.

NYC's Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Design and Construction recently broke ground on the $62.5 million infrastructure upgrade, which the agencies said will install more than 7 miles of new water mains and nearly a mile of sewers to the northeast Queens neighborhoods by 2021.

"This project will improve the neighborhood's water and sewer service and represents a major investment in infrastructure in Bayside and Flushing," said DDC Acting Commissioner Ana Barrio.

The new water mains will primarily be installed along 33rd, 37th and 38th Avenues and Utopia Parkway, she said.

More than 4.3 miles of old cast iron water mains will be swapped out for updated ductile iron pipes, according to the DEP. Brand new water mains will run along 33rd Avenue from 156th Street down Utopia Parkway to 37th Avenue, where they'll continue along Francis Lewis Boulevard and 38th Street until 216th Street, the agency said.

The DEP also plans to add around 2.5 miles of trunk mains - bigger, stronger pipes that connect distribution water pipes with large water tunnels - to improve water distribution and provide a steady stream of high-quality drinking water to the neighborhoods, city officials said.

The city will simultaneously address the areas' persistent flooding issues with the addition of 4,300 feet of sanitary sewers, 350 feet of storm sewers and 100 catch basins along the roadways, said DEP Commissioner Vincent Sapienza.

"New storm sewers and catch basins will increase the system's drainage capacity and help to reduce flooding," he said.

The overhaul will also add 80 new fire hydrants in the area so firefighters have access to the upgraded water supply, according to the DEP. The agency will fund the project while DDC carries it out.

Construction is slated to shut down small parts of 158th Street, Clearview Expressway Service Road West and 216th Street as it unfolds over the next three years, according to the DDC.

The agency assigned a full-time community construction liaison, Taynya Pazmino, to coordinate those road closures, keep locals updated on the project's progress and coordinate any other special community requests. She can be reached at 347-235-0412 or QED991ccl@gmail.com.

(Lead photo via Shutterstock)