Brooklyn-Staten Island water tunnel resumes construction

A 100-foot-deep, 72-inch siphon between Staten Island and Bay Ridge has resumed construction now that city agencies have installed storm resiliency measures to prevent flooding of the tunnel during construction.

Construction will include installation of water control equipment and other infrastructure improvements connecting the tunnel and new water mains in Brooklyn and Staten Island.

Affected Brooklyn water mains include those near Shore Road and 79^th and 83^rd through 86^th Streets. Shore Road Park will also receive restored street landscaping, tree protection and a new pavement walkway.

Known as the Staten Island Siphon, the $250 million project began in August, 2011, and was delayed for 18 months after Superstorm Sandy. The tunnel will bring between five million and 150 million gallons of fresh drinking water to Staten Island residents, replacing two older, nearly century-old siphons currently in use.