8 The Courier sun • AUGUST 4, 2016 for breaking news visit www.qns.com City is investing millions in Ozone Park infrastructure upgrades By Charlie Perry cperry@qns.com/@QNS Ozone Park is getting a $41.5 million makeover. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Department of Transportation (DOT) and Department of Design and Construction (DDC) announced on July 26 that work has begun on the installation of three miles of new sewers and water mains in Ozone Park. Residents can also expect to see the addition of more than 200 catch basins and 80 new fire hydrants. The roadways will also be rebuilt, new sidewalks and lighting will be installed and 200 trees will be planted. The DEP and DOT are funding the project and the DDC will manage construction. The Ozone Park makeover is expected to be complete in late 2018. “Seeing shovels in the ground is a welcome sign for any improvements in the community, but this is especially true for a project nearly 40 years in the making,” Assembly Member Phil Goldfeder said in a statement issued Tuesday. “With today’s announcement, our families in Ozone Park will finally receive the street and sewer infrastructure that will reduce flooding, raise home values and beautify the neighborhood.” The Ozone Park project will replace more than 18,000 feet of 8- and 12-inch distribution water mains and over 15,000 feet of sewers. There will also be an additional 535 feet of new storm sewers built. Additionally, 178 new catch basins will be added and 23 existing basins will be upgraded. The amount of fire hydrants in the area will nearly double as 46 new hydrants are being installed with 32 existing fire hydrants being replaced. Upgrading the water and sewer infrastructure will also help accommodate the construction of a new school in Ozone Park. Once the subsurface construction is finished, 11 lane miles of roadway will be rebuilt along with 338,000 square feet of new sidewalk and 7.5 miles of new curbs. Ninetyseven new street lights will also be installed. “The installation of new sewer grates will decrease the risk of flooding and, paired with freshly paved roads, allow for a smoother flow of traffic, and additional fire hydrants will ensure the neighborhood is never without the proper resources to remain safe,” Senator Joseph P. Addabbo said in his statement Tuesday. Ozone Park’s makeover will also include the construction of 10 specially designed curbside rain gardens with the ability to collect 2,500 gallons of stormwater when it rains. These rain gardens will help ease pressure on the sewer system and reduce overflows into tributaries of Jamaica Bay. More than 200 new street trees will also be planted once the infrastructure work is completed. The DEP plans to invest $14 billion over the next 10 years in similar programs around the city. These programs are expected to create up to 3,000 construction-related jobs per year. “This $41.5 million investment in Ozone Park’s infrastructure will significantly improve the neighborhood’s quality of life,” Queens Borough President Melinda Katz said on Monday. “The departments of Environmental Protection, Transportation and Design and Construction should be commended for embarking on this important project that will benefit Ozone Park residents for decades to come.” Photo courtesy of the NYC Department of Environmental Protection Workers began reconstruction on Ozone Park’s sewer system on July 26. The $41.5 million project is expected to be completed late 2018. Fare hike projected in MTA’s preliminary 2017 budget Photo courtesy of the MTA The MTA has big plans for the 2017 preliminary budget and four-year financial plan. By Anthony Giudice agiudice@qns.com/@A_GiudiceReport Bus and train service across New York City is going to get better for customers as fares rise next year, according to the MTA. Late last month, the MTA released its preliminary 2017 budget and four-year financial plan, which includes millions in funding, allowing the MTA to create an improved customer experience, increase services and service support, enhance safety and security features, and perform necessary maintenance and operations. Queens residents will see a $36 million investment earmarked for new bus service, including four new Select Bus Service routes: the Q25, Q52/Q53, Q70 and Q113. New York City Transit and the MTA Bus Company will also provide up to $21 million for additional enhancements to the base level of service on subways and buses. The MTA’s four-year financial plan provides $195 million from 2017 to 2020 make the ride a little better for commuters. This year 200, buses and 200 subway cars will have Wi-Fi capabilities, USB charging ports and digital screens. In 2017, 400 additional subway cars will have these amenities. The MTA will also make renovations at 31 subway stations throughout New York City, introduce Wi-Fi to all 278 underground stations by December 2016, and introduce a new “contactless” fare payment technology to subways and buses by 2018. An additional $46 million is earmarked for increases in safety and security initiatives over the four-year span, which will enhance existing measures designed to ensure the safety of pedestrians, customers and employees. Upgraded railroad crossings, additional onboard vehicle cameras, “Help Point” intercoms and security operations are all part of the plan. The budget also includes $145 million for improving the reliability, efficiency and performance of its infrastructure, facilities and fleet. In what some would call good news, the MTA expects to be able to limit the previously announced 2017 and 2019 fare and toll increases to no more than 4 percent. The fare hike is projected to give the MTA an additional $308 million in annual operating revenue, allowing for projected balanced budgets through 2019; however, there is still a $371 million deficit projected for the 2020 budget. The public is able to review and comment on the MTA’s preliminary budget until it is adopted by the MTA Board, then the final proposed budget will be presented to the board in November and adopted in December. In the fall, the MTA will present specific proposals for the 2017 all-agency fare and toll increases and will hold a series of public hearings to seek public reactions to the proposals.
SC08042016
To see the actual publication please follow the link above