A 5.3-Mile “Elevated Promenade” On Staten Island Will Break Ground This Year
It was recently announced that the 5.3-mile proposed seawall in Staten Island will officially begin construction since federal funding has now been secured.
The U.S. Army Corps for Engineers (USACE) will be giving $400 million to the project, which is formally known as the Staten Island Multi-Use Elevated Promenade. This new promenade has been in the works since 2015 and is intended to help protect the island from sea-level rising, storm surges, and super storms in the future.
It will be build along the island’s eastern coast from Fort Wadsworth to Great Kills. The promenade will rise about 20 feet above sea level and feature a series of interconnected leaves, berms, and seawalls that are designed to withstand a 300-year storm.
In the announcing statement Governor Cuomo said: “This innovative project will protect Staten Islanders from future devastating storms, enhance access to the shore, create thriving wetlands and bring peace of mind to the diverse communities that live along the coastline. [This] agreement allows New York to move forward with this critical resiliency measure, which will ensure vulnerable communities have the resources they need to build back stronger after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy and better prepare for the next 100-year storm.”
Mayor de Blasio had similar sentiments about the project, saying “It is critical that we invest in the resiliency of our city in the face of climate change. I want to thank the US Army Corps of Engineers, and my colleagues in Congress, Senator Schumer and Congressman Rose, as well as Governor Cuomo, for working together to make this happen for our constituents.”
According to a study conducted by the USACE, the seawall will be able to reduce damages by $30 million annually over a 50-year timeline. Construction is slated to break ground this year and the project is expected to be completed by 2022. Along with the$400 million from USACE, $151 million was allocated to the project by the NY Department of Environmental Conservation, and $65 million from NYC’s Capital Funds.
As Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis put it, “After decades of fear and waiting, the people of Staten Island’s shoreline communities will soon be receiving the protection they need and deserve. This is a true testament to all three levels of government working together.”
featured image source: The Office of the Governor of New York