Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the start of a microtunnelling project in the City of Newburgh which is intended to provide crucial sewer upgrades and to protect the Hudson River from storm resiliency.
The ongoing sewer project is the first clean water infrastructure construction project in New York State to be funded in part by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This project received over $6.1 million in federal funding in November.
Additionally, New York State is contributing more than $21 million in state grants and interest-free financing to support the city’s construction of new, larger sewer pipes and other crucial upgrades to strengthen the city’s ability to withstand high water events and reduce pollution in the Hudson River.
Microtunneling is a remote-operated trenchless construction method that allows for simultaneous excavation and pipe laying. A specially designed boring machine delivered to the city this week will excavate the tunnel through bedrock. It will allow for the precise alignment of the sewer over a long distance and avoids the disturbance of streets and residents that results from deep underground excavations.
This method is part of the ongoing construction to implement Newburgh’s long-term control plan in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to upgrade the city’s combined sewer and stormwater system.
Hochul stated, “These wastewater and stormwater upgrades are vital to protecting the environment and enhancing quality of life in Newburgh, and my administration will continue to work hard to get funding out the door efficiently and equitably to help communities get shovels in the ground for critical projects.”
The North Interceptor Improvement Project includes the installation of approximately 8,700 linear feet of new larger gravity sanitary sewer piping to increase system capacity and reduce pollution discharged to the Hudson River. This will be accomplished by diverting more flows to the city’s treatment plant during wet weather flow events. Microtunneling will be used for a 2,000-foot-long portion of the new piping.
Through federal and state funding, $27 million was committed toward this phase of the project through grants and interest-free financing, including:
- $10 million grant from the Water Quality Improvement Program
- $5.57 million grant from the Water Infrastructure Improvement grant program
- $5.57 million grant from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund
- $3.55 million grant and $2.56 million in short-term interest-free financing from BIL General Supplemental funds. Funding from the BIL for water and sewer infrastructure is administered by EFC through the State Revolving Fund programs.
City of Newburgh Mayor Torrance Harvey said, “The residents and businesses of Newburgh are entitled to clean and healthy water, and I commend Governor Hochul, the NYS teams and our Congressional partners for delivering the financial resources that help make this important project possible. Plain and simple, it will help ensure that generations of Newburgh residents will grow up in a cleaner, healthier community. This is what government working together for the people looks like and we’re excited to be moving forward together on this project.”
U.S. Congressman Pat Ryan added, “I am proud to announce the beginning of this crucial project, which will allow for huge improvements to the city of Newburgh’s water infrastructure. Every New Yorker deserves access to clean water, and I look forward to working with partners in state, local and federal government to make that a reality.”
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer explained, “For years, I’ve worked with the City of Newburgh, Riverkeeper, the Newburgh Clean Water Project, and local advocates to improve Newburgh’s water infrastructure, with the goal of making our beloved Newburgh neighborhoods healthier and safer places to live and work. Last year, I was proud to secure $12.8 million for Newburgh’s North Interceptor Sewer Project through the annual federal budget so Newburgh could begin this important work.”
