Last Wednesday, March 27th, local leaders and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) celebrated the groundbreaking of the 132nd Street Extension Project, in the College Point neighborhood of Queens. The project will extend 132nd Street by one block, to 23rd Avenue, adding a new roadway outlet for the College Point neighborhood and relieving local traffic. Congratulations to the project team and to EnTech’s Omeed Entezarian, PE, who is leading the REI team as the project’s Resident Engineer.

The new block runs through the site of the former Flushing Airport, which is now an undeveloped wetland, and the project includes the restoration of 12 acres of the remaining wetland. The restored wetlands will provide a habitat for wildlife, protect against floods, and filter toxins from water draining into Mill Creek and Flushing Bay.

EnTech, as a subconsultant to Gilbane, is providing resident engineering inspection (REI) services, overseeing the project activities. The scope of the project includes installation of water main, Horizontal Elliptical Concrete Pipe sewer and headwall, catch basins, retaining walls, a relieving platform, traffic signals, and various types of piles, including Stelcore, H-piles, micropiles, and 14” steel pipe piles. Omeed is overseeing work activities including the implementation of the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) during construction and, eventually, final stabilization within the wetlands. Additionally, Omeed ensures that work activities comply with safety standards and maintenance and protection of traffic (MPT) plans.

Among those in attendance at the groundbreaking ceremony were Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Councilmember Vickie Paladino, and members of Queens Community Board 7, the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT), New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP), New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC).