STATEN ISLAND, NY-
On October 28, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis was joined bipartisan group of Staten Island elected officials, representatives of the U.S. Army Corps, New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP), and New York City Parks to commemorate the 12th anniversary of Hurricane Sandy and deliver progress updates regarding the first phase of Staten Island’s East Shore Seawall project.
The $132 million contract for the first phase, which focuses on the SSSI Drainage Area E, is one of several key components of the overall project. This contract includes the construction of large interior drainage ponds (detention basins) connected by an open-channel culvert, along with various stormwater drainage structures, such as box culverts, junction chambers, sluice gates, weir chambers, flap gates, inlets for future stormwater systems and the relocation of existing sanitary sewers.
The overall Seawall project alignment includes 3,400 feet of earthen levee, 2,100 feet of floodwall, and 22,700 feet of buried seawall between Fort Wadsworth and Oakwood Beach.
After working closely with the Army Corps, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, NYCDEP, New York City Parks and community groups, the officials put an end to endless redesign requests. Malliotakis also had legislative language included in the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 to establish a 90/10 federal cost share, and collaborated with the National Parks Service and Army Corps to solidify a plan to clean up hazardous waste in Great Kills. The contract for the first phase of the overall project has been finalized, and final preparations are underway for onsite construction.
“As we commemorate Sandy’s 12th anniversary and remember the 24 Staten Islanders we tragically lost, I stand here with colleagues who represent all levels of government to reassure the community that we continue to make progress in building a more resilient Staten Island and have completed all the necessary steps so the first phase can begin imminently,” said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis. “We’ve passed legislation so the federal government to cover 90% of the cost share relieving local taxpayers and enabled the Army Corps to expedite the project. Land acquisition is complete, the first contract has been issued and the contractors are on the ground beginning their work. Our main priority continues to be protecting our community and ensuring that lessons learned from Sandy guide our approach to future emergency preparedness.”
“As we commemorate the 12th anniversary of Hurricane Sandy, I am pleased to announce the start of construction for the South Shore of Staten Island Coastal Storm Risk Management Project’s Area E. This critical project marks a significant step in protecting Staten Island’s communities from future storms and flooding. After years of hard work, collaboration, and persistence, we are finally moving forward again on the long-awaited seawall. Together, we are delivering the protection that Staten Island deserves, ensuring that families and businesses will be more resilient against the devastating effects of climate change,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.
“There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t drive by Father Capodanno Blvd and think about how we need to revitalize this area. We need to bring more life to this area and a necessary step is the Seawall Project. I am looking forward to the construction of this project and I think that it will be a game changer. I want to thank Congresswoman Malliotakis for leading the charge and ensuring this project gets done,” said Assemblyman Michael Tannousis.
