A Southeast Queens neighborhood prone to flooding is now getting some much needed upgrades. It's part of a multi-million dollar project in Rosedale. Our Gene Apodaca has a closer look at the problem and the work that's now being done to fix it.
Tuesday morning a section of Hook Creek Boulevard in Rosedale really lived up to its name.
“I mean basically a swimming pool, “ said Emanuel Dacosta who lives off Hook Creek Boulevard.
Neighbors say the street floods constantly even with a small amount of rain. Over the years, NY1 has seen the area underwater numerous times.
Dacosta says he’s afraid to park his car on the street.
“This winter matter fact there was an accident right there on the corner, a major accident so you know hopefully they’ll do something to address this problem,“ said Dacosta.
Well now, help is apparently is on its way.
As part of a $25 million project, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection is constructing new storm and combined sewers along Hook Creek Boulevard. Four miles of new sewer lines along with 149 new catch basins will help drain the water away. The storm water will naturally flow down to what’s called an outfall that will eventually take it out into a nearby pond.
“The sewers in a lot of parts of the city have been put in the ground many decades ago and as the area gets developed we need to put in bigger sewers that can carry away that drainage," said Vincent Sapienza, Acting Commissioner for Department of Environmental Protection.
The work is occurring between 128th Avenue and Merrick Boulevard on Hook Creek Boulevard. It’s part of a larger $1.7 billion project to address flooding in Southeast Queens, which will include dozens of small local sewer projects which will connect neighborhoods to the system.
“That would actually be amazing if it actually comes to fruition especially after all the construction for it to be finally completed that would be great, “ said resident Karimot Adegbenro.
Officials say this first phase of the project should be completely by the end of 2017, with the remaining projects taking place over the next decade.