City of Newburgh Completes $32-Million North Interceptor Sewer Improvement Job
L. Todd Diorio, president of the Hudson Valley Building and Construction Trades Council, reported to CONSTRUCTION NEWS that the project was undertaken by union tradesmen employed by Kubricky Construction Corp. of Queensbury, NY.
The sewer improvement project is the latest and largest capital project completed under the Newburgh City Council’s $140-million infrastructure improvement plan. The North Interceptor Sewer Improvement Project is one of the most significant clean water projects in New York State, and the realignment of the city’s underground sewer infrastructure will facilitate the redevelopment and restoration of “The Hillside”—a once vibrant section of the city that was destroyed during the failed urban renewal era, city officials stated
The $32-million project commenced construction in April 2022 and was completed in less than two-and-a-half years. The project installed 8,700 linear feet of new, larger-gravity sanitary piping, including more than 2,000 feet of piping through an innovative micro-tunneling technique that reduced disruptions for residents and expedited the project’s completion. The new, larger pipes are increasing system capacity and reducing pollution discharged to the Hudson River by diverting more flows to the city’s treatment plant during wet weather events. The city worked with federal and state agencies to secure more than $31 million in grants and interest-free financing.
“Clean water investments with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides a crucial opportunity to make significant environmental improvements that will protect public health across the state for generations to come,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “These upgrades are vital to protecting the environment and enhancing quality of life in Newburgh.”
In addition to $6 million in federal grants and interest-free financing from the BIL, the project received $15 million in state grants from the Water Quality Improvement Project and Water Infrastructure Improvement programs, a $5-million grant from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, a $3-million federal Community Grant, and a $2-million grant from the federal American Rescue Plan Act.
The significant state and federal investments supported construction of 8,700 linear feet 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. Innovative micro-tunneling techniques were used to install over 2,000 linear feet of underground sewer pipeline, reducing disruption for community residents and expediting construction. The new, larger pipes are increasing system capacity and reducing pollution discharged to the Hudson River by diverting more flows to the city’s treatment plant during wet weather events.
The federal funding is administered through the State Revolving Funds by the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation in coordination with the Departments of Environmental Conservation and Health. EFC closed on $96 million in federal funding for eight projects as part of a record $2.2 billion investment in clean water infrastructure in State Fiscal Year 2024.
Other Current Infrastructure Projects in Newburgh
- Delano-Hitch Park Aquatic Center
- Newburgh Landing Pier Reconstruction
- Walsh Road Bridge Rehabilitation Project
- Little Britain Road Bridge Reconstruction
- North Water Street Sewer Separation Project
- North Street Sewer Separation Project
- South Interceptor Sewer Replacement Project