New York City has completed construction on the installation of 42 new catch basins, as well as new storm sewers, on Staten Island.
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) says that City Councilman David Carr provided $1 million in funding for the $2.86 million project, which will help better manage stormwater and reduce neighborhood flooding in the Willowbrook/Westerleigh section of the island.
“DEP worked with Councilman Carr, as well as Borough President Fossella, to upgrade this community’s drainage network with new catch basins and storm sewers,” said DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “This infrastructure investment will help fortify the neighborhood against extreme weather and protect residents and their properties from flooding.”
Work began in August 2022 and took take place along Auburn Avenue, from Cambridge Avenue to Bryson Avenue, as well as portions of Nina Avenue and Willow Road East. As part of the project, 2,460 linear feet of new storm sewers were added to the neighborhood to alleviate flooding. To better capture stormwater and direct it to the new storm sewer system, 42 new catch basins were installed.
The initial design scope of the project incorporated 31 catch basins; however, engineers re-evaluated the area’s drainage needs during construction and added 11 more basins to further increase the network’s capacity.
DEP and the New York City Department of Design and Construction are also working on an ongoing $6.9 million drainage upgrade in a separate part of Westerleigh. This project is anticipated to be completed by the Fall of 2023.
