SEWER RECONSTRUCTION WORK ON VAN BRUNT AT PRESIDENT

We received this update (somewhat belatedly) about the seemingly never-ending Columbia Street reconstruction project:

WORK HOURS: Monday thru Saturday 7:00am to 5:30pm

Beginning September 13, 2010 and continuing for approximately 6 weeks the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) will begin reconstruction of a sewer chamber at the intersection of on Van Brunt and President Street. Residents are advised that there will be some noise and vibration associated with this operation. Vibration monitors will be placed at various locations through the project during this phase of work.

The DDC is committed to maintaining a work site that is safe and clean. However, dust, noise and heavy equipment are intrusive but common elements of construction and we ask for your patience during the project. Please be advised of the following traffic/community impacts:

Traffic/Community Impacts:

• Parking will be restricted in/around the work zone.
• NO PARKING signs will be installed.
• Driveway access may be restricted for a limited amount of time.
• Pedestrian access will be maintained at all time.

We appreciate your cooperation and thank you for your patience while we rebuild Brooklyn's infrastructure.

If you have any questions or concerns or would like to learn more about the project, please call Carol Nurse, the Community Construction Liaison at (718) 875-3981 or visit the NYCDDC web site at www.nyc.gov/buildnyc. During non-constructions hours, please contact New York City Government Services and Information Hotline at 311.

Van Brunt Reconstruction Starts May 10th

Craig Hammerman, the district manager of of Community Board 6, lit a fire under the Department of Design and Construction regarding the long-delayed reconstruction of Van Brunt Street -- and it worked! DDC wrote to Mr. Hammerman:

As you are aware, during construction we encountered some unanticipated subsurface conditions on Van Brunt Street that necessitated a complete redesign of the sewers and water mains. This resulted in additional work costing more than $2 million that was not in the project budget. The funding was finally made available late last year and work will resume in early May of this year.

[...]

Currently, all preliminary designs for the additional work have been approved, and the contractor, Trocom Construction Corporation, is engaged in securing permits, seeking out soil-disposal facilities, and making submittals which are essential prerequisites for resumption of work. The contractor plans to start work on May 10, 2010. The remaining work is expected to have a duration of six months. [Emphasis mine.]

Thanks, Mr. Hammerman!