New York State officials have announced the start of microtunneling in the City of Newburgh as part of ongoing wastewater and stormwater infrastructure upgrades.
The North Interceptor Improvement Project includes the installation of approximately 8,700 linear feet of new larger gravity sanitary sewer piping to increase system capacity and reduce pollution discharged to the Hudson River. This will be accomplished by diverting more flows to the city's treatment plant during wet weather flow events. Microtunneling will be used for a 2,000-foot-long portion of the new piping.
Microtunneling is part of the ongoing construction to implement Newburgh's long-term control plan in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to upgrade the city's combined sewer and stormwater system. Microtunneling is a remote-operated trenchless construction method that allows for simultaneous excavation and pipe laying. A specially designed boring machine delivered to the city this week will excavate the tunnel through bedrock.
Microtunneling allows for the precise alignment of the sewer over a long distance and avoids the disturbance of streets and residents that results from deep underground excavations.
The ongoing sewer project is the first clean water infrastructure construction project in New York State to be funded in part by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The project received more than $6.1 million in federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds in November. New York State is also contributing more than $21 million in state grants and interest-free financing to support the city's construction 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.
"Combined with our state's significant clean water investments, the unprecedented 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," said Governor Kathy Hochul said. "These wastewater and stormwater upgrades are vital to protecting the environment and enhancing quality of life in Newburgh, and my administration will continue to work hard to get funding out the door efficiently and equitably to help communities get shovels in the ground for critical projects."
Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), DEC and the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC), $27 million was committed toward this phase of the project through grants and interest-free financing, including:
- $10 million grant from the Water Quality Improvement Program
- $5.57 million grant from the Water Infrastructure Improvement grant program
- $5.57 million grant from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund
- $3.55 million grant and $2.56 million in short-term interest-free financing from BIL General Supplemental funds. Funding from the BIL for water and sewer infrastructure is administered by EFC through the State Revolving Fund programs.
