By Michael V. Cusenza
A dozen years after Superstorm Sandy nearly wiped out Broad Channel, the City on Friday announced the completion of a $51 million infrastructure project that raised streets, installed new storm sewers and reconstructed bulkheads in the South Queens neighborhood.
The project, which the City Department of Design and Construction managed for the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Transportation, was completed on schedule and $4 million under budget.
Broad Channel is surrounded by Jamaica Bay and is one of the lowest-lying areas in the five boroughs, susceptible to storms and regular tidal flooding. In August 2020 the City completed Phase I, a similar project, at a cost of $46 million.
As with Phase I, the project raised roads by approximately three feet and reconstructed over 140 residential driveway areas to match the elevation of the new raised streets. Four new bulkheads were installed at the end of streets to protect them from the waters of Jamaica Bay.
To manage stormwater, over 3,000 feet of new storm sewers were installed. Approximately 3,500 feet of water mains and over 3,000 feet of sanitary sewers were also upgraded. Eight catch basins were replaced and 12 new catch basins were installed in the middle of the roads to divert water away from the properties and into the bay through the newly installed storm sewers.
The project also enhanced safety for pedestrians and drivers by upgrading pedestrian ramps, curbs, street lighting, signage and traffic signals. A new shared sidewalk design similar to Phase I allows narrow streets to work as both vehicle pathways and wider pedestrian areas with flushed curbs to better manage rainwater. Roadway surfaces were enhanced by using specially scored, pigmented walkways to improve the durability of rigid concrete sidewalks.
In total, one acre of asphalt plus 31,000 square feet of sidewalk was replaced in the area, and nearly 17,000 square feet of new sidewalks were installed. To enhance fire protection, 14 fire hydrants were replaced and two new hydrants were installed.
“The residents of Broad Channel regularly experience firsthand what it’s like to be on the front lines of our changing climate,” said DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “On one of the lowest-lying areas in the city and surrounded by Jamaica Bay, the area often deals with tidal flooding caused by rising sea levels and severe storms. This negatively impacts quality of life, disrupting daily schedules and causing property damage. Together with DDC, DOT, local elected officials, and community leaders, we have built infrastructure in this area as resilient and strong as its residents! New sewers, catch basins, bulwarks, and raised roads will work together to drain the water away from the roadways, and protect homes and businesses.”
City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) added, “I was proud to join the Broad Channel Civic Association and others to officially cut the ribbon and unveil the latest resilience measures in Broad Channel this morning. The street raising here will go a long way towards mitigating the flooding that so many Broad Channel residents have dealt with for years, and will go a long way towards improving life for those in the community.”