Construction is about to begin on the installation of nearly three miles of high level storm sewers in Gowanus, announced the Departments of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Design and Construction (DDC) on Monday, February 29.
The $52 million project will help reduce both street flooding and the amount of pollution subsequently discharged into the Gowanus Canal during heavy rain storms.
“The construction of new storm sewers in Gowanus will help to reduce the flooding that can occur during heavy rain storms, so we are excited to get shovels in the ground,” said DEP Commissioner Emily Lloyd. “This work will also complement the more than $200 million we have already invested to help improve the health of the Gowanus Canal – including the rehabilitation and upgrade of the Flushing Tunnel and Pump Station, and the construction of nearly 100 curbside gardens.”
“These High Level Storm Sewers are a critical component of DEP’s multi-faceted grey and green strategy to reduce regular neighborhood street flooding and combined sewage overflows into the Gowanus Canal,” added Gowanus Canal Conservancy Executive Director Andrea Parker. “We applaud this investment in the health of the Gowanus Canal and the live and workability of our neighborhood.”
The first phase of the project will begin this spring, cost $25 million, and be completed by the spring of 2018. The second will kick off in 2018, cost $27 million, and see completion in 2020.
Funding for the project is being provided by the DEP. DDC will oversee construction.