$1.5m drill to help complete sewer project

By Alberto Gilman
Posted 1/18/23

The North Interceptor Sewer Improvements Project draws closer to its Spring 2024 completion time with the welcoming of a new drill to the City of Newburgh. This new drill will be lowered into a 500 …

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$1.5m drill to help complete sewer project

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The North Interceptor Sewer Improvements Project draws closer to its Spring 2024 completion time with the welcoming of a new drill to the City of Newburgh. This new drill will be lowered into a 500 foot hole that has been created and dug in the middle of Colden Street by the library and will cut through solid rock and debris to create a 2,000 foot long hole used for sewer main installation.

City of Newburgh Engineer Jason Morris welcomed the media and additional state and local partners on Thursday, January 12 to this occasion to mark the next step in the project. “The North Interceptor Sewer Improvements Project involves the complete replacement and realignment of a sewer main located along the eastern side of the City of Newburgh. The purpose of this project is to increase the sewer capacity and reduce combined sewer overflows to the Hudson River,” said Morris. “We’re gathered here today on this construction site to celebrate a significant milestone on the sewer infrastructure project, the arrival of the tunnel boring machine to the project site.”

Off the right side of Morris rested a 35,000 pound tunnel boring machine that, according to Morris, had been fabricated and constructed in Maryland, specifically for the project. The total cost for the drill was $1.5 million. This project will reduce combined sewer overflows to the Hudson River by approximately 56 million gallons per year. “This sewer infrastructure project demonstrates the City of Newburgh’s commitment to renew its infrastructure to not only allow for the economic revitalization of the city, but also to protect the region’s most valuable natural resource the Hudson River,” said Morris.

A total $32 million, according to Morris, was used to finance the project. $10 million was acquired from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation [NYSDEC] Water Quality Improvement Program. $11 million was acquired from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation [EFC] Water Infrastructure Improvements Act and $3.5 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Two million was also acquired from the American Rescue Act Funds. Morris clarified that the balance of the project costs came from New York State EFC’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund program.

Morris extended thanks to Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson, state and federal elected officials, the DEC and the EFC. Arcadis and Kubricky Construction Corp and the various city departments were also recognized for the work and contributions to make this project possible.

“This is a great day. It’s a great day for the City of Newburgh. It’s a great day for the Hudson River. It’s a great day for everybody in New York State,” said Jacobson. “This project will protect the Hudson River. I’m proud to be here, proud to represent Newburgh.”

“We’re happy that Governor Hochul has put $500 million into the proposed budget for next year on clean water infrastructure projects like this. This project isn’t the last that we need,” said Dan Shapley, Co-Director, Science & Patrol Program fro Riverkeeper, Inc. “Thank you Newburgh. ”