Dewatering and the Kosciuszko Bridge Project - what the heck? Attend the public meeting

On Thursday, January 31, New York State DOT is holding a Public Information Meeting regarding phase 1 of the Kosciuszko Bridge reconstruction. More specifically, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) has applied for a permit a for temporary dewatering during construction of the Kosciuszko Bridge in Queens.

The Kosciuszko Bridge needs replacing – this is the bridge that is part of the BQE, that goes over Newtown Creek on the border between Queens and Brooklyn (GMAP). So “in an effort to rebuild New York State’s infrastructure while rebuilding the State’s economy to create jobs,” the Kosciuszko Bridge Project has been accelerated as a “Design-Build” project under the NY Works Program. NY Works is part of Governor Cuomo’s job program, and this Kosciuszko Bridge Project is the “largest single infrastructure project” in the NY Works program.

As for dewatering, it means pretty much what it sounds like – taking away the water. Here are details about the dewatering during this project, from a release from NY State DOT.

Construction of the new structure is anticipated to require a temporary dewatering system for treatment and discharge of groundwater at a utility trench and several proposed foundation locations in Queens. The foundations are the bridge footings that are closest to Newtown Creek, a designated Superfund site. They are adjacent to and within the Laurel Hill Site, a NYSDEC Class 2 Inactive Hazardous Waste Site. Groundwater beneath this area Contains contaminants at levels that require treatment of dewateríng fluids prior te discharge to Newtown Creek under a SPDES permit.

The dewatering will take place within eofferdams, temporary enclosures that will be built to allow for excavation below grade and the pumping required to establish a dry work environment. Concrete will be used to seal the base of the oofferdams and to limit the amount of dewatering required.

A proposed mobile groundwater system will be used to treat the Water generated from the dewatering operations. The water will pass through an oilfwater separator to eliminate petroleum products; be piped into a settling tank to remove metals; and finally be processed using a series of activated carbon and multimedia Íilters to remove any remaining volatile organic compounds and petroleum products before being discharged to Newtown Creek through a new Queens outfall.

A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) has been prepared in accordance with the SPDES General Pennit. The SWPPP identities the pollution prevention measures, the site specific soil erosion and sediment control details and the best management practices to be implemented during each construction Stage.

Yep, that’s right – they’ll have to muck around in Newtown Creek, which is fairly toxic. Superfund site and all, you know.

If you’d like to attend the meeting, here are the details:

Date: Thursday, January 31, 2013

Time: 6:30-8:30pm

Location: New York State Department of Transportation
Hunters Point Plaza
47-40 21st Street, Room 834
Long Island City, Queens – GMAP

Newtown Dewatering Meeting [NYS DOT]
Kosciuszko Bridge reconstruction will improve travel for cars, bikes and pedestrians [QNYC]
Walking tour looks at Greenpoint’s not so wonderful industrial history [QNYC]
Kosciuszko Bridge Project [NYC DOT]