NYC completes Phase II of $51 million Broad Channel Project, raising streets, installing storm sewers, and reconstructing bulkheads in flood-prone area to enhance resilience, protect against climate change threats, and improve quality of life for residents. Project finished $4 million under budget.
Photo courtesy of NYC Department of Design and Construction
The project continues a shared sidewalk design that was first implemented in phase one, with new storm sewers, curbs, pedestrian ramps, signage and crosswalks.
The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the NYC Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) and the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) announced the completion of a $51 million infrastructure project that raised streets, installed new storm sewers and reconstructed bulkheads in Broad Channel, Queens.
The project, which DDC managed for DEP and DOT, was completed on schedule and $4 million under budget.
The neighborhood is surrounded by Jamaica Bay and is one of the lowest-lying areas in the city, susceptible to storms and regular tidal flooding. In August 2020 the city completed phase one, a similar project, at a cost of $46 million.
"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."
"It is more important than ever that we protect against the threats of climate change, particularly in communities like Broad Channel that are uniquely vulnerable to future storms and flooding," said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. "It has been our pleasure to collaborate with DEP and DDC to better manage rainwater here while making the area safer for all road users."
"DDC builds cool stuff all over the city and Broad Channel phases one and two are more examples of innovative projects that help manage the effects of climate change," said DDC Commissioner Thomas Foley. "This project, which was recognized with an Envision Award from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, also was completed on schedule and $4 million under budget, money that can be put toward more sustainable infrastructure. Thank you to the remarkable DDC team for wrapping up construction with minimal disruption to the neighborhood."
Photo courtesy of NYC Department of Design and Construction
Reconstructed bulkhead at the end of 17th Road. A total of four bulkheads were reconstructed in Phase II to protect Broad Channel residents from tidal flooding and storms.
As with phase one, the project raised roads by approximately 3 ft. and reconstructed more than 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, more than 3,000 ft. of new storm sewers were installed. Approximately 3,500 ft. of water mains and over 3,000 ft. of sanitary sewers also were 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 one 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 sq. ft. of sidewalk was replaced in the area, and nearly 17,000 sq. ft. of new sidewalks were installed. To enhance fire protection, 14 fire hydrants were replaced and two new hydrants were installed.
In 2023, the project received an Envision Verified Award for its sustainability features from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI). The project was cited by ISI for improving quality of life, stakeholder relations, teamwork and collaboration, evaluating climate resilience and enhanced infrastructure integration.
Photo courtesy of NYC Department of Design and Construction
Map shows Phase I (blue) and Phase II (red) of Broad Channel infrastructure project, where streets were raised and private properties, including residential driveways, were restored to match the level of the new raised streets.
"Few communities in New York City are more vulnerable to climate change and tidal flooding than Broad Channel," said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. "As sea levels rise and storms become more frequent, this $51 million project to make this community more resilient is critical to the health and safety of families who call it home. From raised streets to new storm sewers, water mains and bulkheads, this project has delivered for Broad Channel and I thank all our agency partners for their vital work."
"Today we have reached a great milestone for the Broad Channel community, who for years have fought to protect their residents from flooding and water damage from storms and other extreme weather events," said Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato, the host of the monthly task force that discusses and reviews this project.
"By investing in innovative infrastructure measures now, we are preventing future loss of homes and property, and saving ourselves millions of dollars in the long run. This victory today was only achieved through hard work on a granular level: constant phone calls with all stakeholders, meetings between contractors and individual homeowners, and numerous information sessions led by Dan Mundy Jr. and the Civic Association. I want to thank all of our partners in government including DDC, DOT and DEP for working with the community and civic leaders for on this project."
"The residents of Broad Channel have been dealing with severe flooding in their community for decades," said Councilwoman Joann Ariola. "With this new infrastructure project, we are kicking off a new era for the neighborhood, and tremendously improving the quality of life for all those who call Broad Channel home."
"We are delighted that the project came in on-time and under budget," said Felicia Johnson of Community Board 14. "At the last District Cabinet meeting with the Borough President, DDC presented the projects online, and this one was projected to close on time. CB 14Q and the Broad Channel Community want to thank DDC, DOT, and DEP for the management, consideration, and administration of this project. This community waited a long time for these infrastructure needs to be addressed, and it is finally done. Thank you all for you hard work and dedication."
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