The Bluebelt Expands
The Bluebelt system on Staten Island has provided DEP with an effective way to manage stormwater and reduce localized flooding, and I was thrilled to recently announce with Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Acting Commissioner Ana Barrio that we have completed the largest ever expansion of the Staten Island Bluebelt system. The $48 million infrastructure upgrade for the South Shore neighborhood of Woodrow also added more than three miles of storm sewers, installed hundreds of catch basins and replaced existing water mains. The catch basins will allow precipitation to drain from the roadways into the new storm sewers which will then direct it to the Bluebelt wetland where it will be naturally filtered to protect the environment.
The project, which was funded by DEP and managed by DDC, began in the spring of 2014 and was completed ahead of schedule. The Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) recognized the project with its Envision Silver Award, just the second New York City project to receive the award.
The installation of 15,059 linear feet of new storm sewers, 197 catch basins and 133 manholes will help to better manage the precipitation that falls in the area and reduce localized flooding. In addition, 23,278 linear feet of new sanitary sewers will allow 590 homes to connect to the City’s sewer system and discontinue the use of septic tanks.
As part of this project, the stormwater that is collected from local roadways will be directed to the new wetland that was built on City-owned property at the east end of Sheldon Avenue. The work included the planting of 723 canopy trees, 166 shrubs, 36,850 plants and wildflowers, and 115,000 square feet of seeding. The Bluebelt will hold and naturally filter the stormwater before it eventually drains into Raritan Bay.
While the roadway was opened to add the new sewers, the City also upgraded the drinking water delivery system by replacing the old cast iron water mains with new ductile iron mains. As part of the project, 12,580 linear feet of 8 and 12-inch diameter distribution water mains were installed.
