New York Construction Report staff writer
A major milestone has been reached on New York State’s historic $150 million project to address infrastructure and public health challenges in the City of Mount Vernon. Construction is beginning on the Third Street sewer project which will ensure reliable wastewater service and enhanced quality of life for more than 4,100 residents in Mount Vernon impacted by broken sewer infrastructure lines.
The State-County-City partnership is breaking ground after an accelerated planning and design process and will ensure reliable wastewater service for 4,100 nearby residents currently minimally served by temporary pumps and a makeshift system staged in the middle of Third Street. Further improvements across the city are set to take place in phases over five to seven years.
The New York State Department of Health (DOH) is working with the Mount Vernon Board of Water Supply (MVBWS) on the $1 million lead service line inventory project. Of the approximately 8,300 service line records reviewed to date, approximately 5,300 indicate the presence of a lead portion.
Construction has also begun on the first homes awarded under the Mount Vernon Healthy Homes pilot program. The $3 million program targets the most frequently impacted and high-risk properties that have been affected by the crisis. It helps New York fulfill its goal to build resilient homes that adapt to a changing climate while prioritizing communities that were underprioritized in the past.
“The Third Street Sewer Project is a collaborative effort between the City of Mount Vernon, the State of New York, and Westchester County,” said Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard. “It aims to replace aging sewer infrastructure, address capacity issues, and mitigate the risk of sewer backups and related environmental concerns.
“The project’s successful implementation will not only enhance public health and safety but also contribute to the overall revitalization and sustainability of our city. We are committed to addressing the disproportionate impacts of pollution and environmental hazards on marginalized communities.”
