
Get ready for noise, dust, parking space shortages
City installing new water mains in Brooklyn

You’re getting new water mains, Brooklyn.
But you’ll have to put up with a lot of construction noises, clouds of dust, water turn-offs and the temporary loss of on-street parking spaces in the meantime.
The New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) sent out an advisory on Nov. 28 announcing the start of a multimillion-dollar project to replace and extend watermains in several neighborhoods throughout the borough.
The work is scheduled to begin on or about Monday, Dec. 11. The project, which DDC is calling an “Accelerated Water Main Replacement and Sewer Rehabilitation,” is expected to be completed sometime in fall 2019.
Sheepshead Bay, Bushwick, Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Williamsburg, East New York, Sunset Park, Kensington and Borough Park will all be affected.
“This is a various locations project occurring within several community boards in Brooklyn,” the DDC advisory reads.
The scope of the work entails replacing and extending water mains, water main valves and fire hydrants.
The fact that the entire project is expected to take nearly two years to complete doesn’t mean that the work in any one particular neighborhood is going to last that long, officials said.
But DDC is warning that the project could still cause major disruptions that are likely to give residents headaches.
For example, the water supply on certain blocks might have to be turned off for short periods of time.
On-street parking restrictions will be enforced on certain streets to accommodate the work, according to DDC.
“There may be limited street access on certain blocks,” the agency’s advisory reads. DDC is also promising, however, that the restrictions will only be in place for the duration of the project.
If a bus stop is located in a work zone, the bus stop will have to be moved.
The city’s comprehensive plan also takes the rat population into consideration. Rodent control measures will be put in place if necessary.
The work schedule of the water main project is as follows: Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. DDC also advised that night work might be necessary in some instances. In those cases, the work will be performed between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. If night work is a necessity, advance notice will be given to the affected community, according to officials.
Work is already under way on Coyle Street between Avenue Z and Shore Parkway in Sheepshead Bay. Bay Ridge is next, with the first phase of work set to be performed on 89th Street between Narrows Avenue and Colonial Road.
In Bay Ridge, local officials are busy spreading the word to the public about the project.
Community Board 10 District Manager Josephine Beckmann sent out her own advisory, along with the DDC notice and a map of the work zone, to explain what is about to happen.
The Bay Ridge portion of the project is expected to cost $5 million, according to Beckmann.
The parameters of the project in Bay Ridge are Shore Road and Colonial Road from 89th Street to 91st Street; 89th Street from Colonial Road to Shore Road; and Narrows Avenue from 89th Street to Shore Road.
In an effort to mitigate any disturbances, Beckmann has already contacted the Department of Sanitation about street cleaning and alternate side of the street parking rules.
“CB10 has requested a suspension of Street Cleaning Rules for the affected area and will provide further updates on this request,” Beckmann said in a statement.
DDC has assigned an ombudsman, known as a community construction liaison, to handle any complaints residents and business owners might have. The liaison can be reached by emailing [email protected]
If residents have concerns after work hours, they are advised to call 311.
Leave a Comment
Leave a Comment