Extending the Sewers in Rosedale, Queens

As our city grows and ages, it is crucial that we maintain our vast network of critical infrastructure. For our Water and Sewer Operations crews, that means keeping a vigilant watch over almost 7,000 miles of in-city water mains, about 7,500 miles of sewers, and approximately 148,000 catch basins. When the system stops working properly, or concerns are brought to our attention, we set out to rectify the issue as quickly as possible by making the necessary adjustments, repairs, and improvements.

Along 148th Avenue, in Rosedale, Queens, ongoing chronic flooding was a regular hardship. With the capital Southeast Queens program in sight, relief was coming. However, residents along this block had difficulty accessing their homes during rainstorms and so a more immediate, interim remedy was sought, rather than waiting for the traditional planning, design, and bidding processes to be completed before work could begin.

It was decided to utilize in-house crews from Queens Repairs for the installation of approximately 260 linear feet of a new 12- inch storm sewer extension pipe down the middle of 148th Avenue, beginning just east of 259th Street. The project also converted two existing seepage basins and connected them to the new storm sewer extension.

DEP crews toiled three weeks digging the trench, laying the pipe, installing three manholes, repairing the two seepage basins, connecting the sewers, and pouring the concrete road base. The New York City Department of Transportation paved the trench opening once work was completed.

This project complements the $2.5 million investment we made earlier this summer installing new catch basins and storm sewer extensions throughout the southeast Queens neighborhoods of St. Albans, Jamaica, South Jamaica, and Laurelton, as well as other parts of Rosedale. These improvements have increased the capacity of the drainage system in this neighborhood, thereby reducing the problematic localized street flooding.