After a late-night rainfall, Metropolitan Avenue was flooded on Jan. 12. Photo Courtesy of Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley's Office.
Metropolitan Avenue in Middle Village will be less of a water hazard thanks to a new sewer line being installed to help alleviate flooding between Cooper Avenue and 80th Street.
The Department of Environmental Protection started work Monday to install more than 400 feet of piping.
Cutting through St. John’s Cemetery, the area doesn’t need a sewer line—except when it rains, Gary Giordano, district manager of Community Board 5, said.
“When there is even moderate rain there can be anywhere from a pond to a lake on Metropolitan Avenue just west of Cooper Avenue at the entrance, exit of St. John’s Cemetery,” Giordano said.
That’s because the catch basin that filters into the ground in the area can’t keep up with the intake.
The project is starting after prodding from Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village).
In April 2010, the Councilwoman wrote a letter to the DEP requesting the department investigate the area.
When the DEP completed the study, it added the area as a capital project.
A news release from Crowley said work then started after continual follow-ups from her office.
“For too long, even the slightest rain created dangerous flooding conditions on Metropolitan Avenue near St. John’s Cemetery,” Crowley said, noting that the standing water became a breeding ground for mosquitoes in the summer and created black ice conditions in the winter.
“I’m pleased to have worked with DEP to remedy this nuisance for the community. Repairs like these are an investment in our neighborhoods that will improve the quality of life for residents for years to come,” she said.
By Jeremiah Dobruck
j.dobruck@theforumnewsgroup.com
