New York state is going to spend $21 million on projects in Westchester deigned to help prevent flooding in communities including Harrison, Rye Brook, Port Chester and Rye, it was announced on June 25. The money comes from the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022. Voters approved the bond act, which makes available a total of $4.2 billion for environmental and community projects.
Two county-owned bridges that cross Blind Brook in Rye will be replaced. They are the Playland Parkway and Oakland Avenue bridges, which with be replaced with significantly larger spans to address increased water flows anticipated from climate change. Portions of Blind Brook will be restored to what’s described as a “more natural, stable condition.”
“Communities in Westchester are all too familiar with the devastating and deadly effects of storm surges and flash flooding,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said when announcing the spending package. “Providing funding and resources to help local governments get shovels in the ground for these projects is a top priority, and we’ll continue working together to modernize our infrastructure and provide common sense solutions that best position our communities for the future.”
The state’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has been studying waterways in flood prone areas of Westchester at no cost to municipalities. In addition to Blind Brook, studies of the Bronx and Hutchinson Rivers, Mamaroneck and Sheldrake Rivers, and Beaver Swamp and Grassy Sprain Rivers have been completed. In addition, DEC is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Mamaroneck and other partners in neighboring municipalities along the Long Island Sound on flood-prevention projects.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said, “These projects will not only help protect families and neighborhoods along Blind Brook from devastating flooding, but also advance our shared commitment to building a more resilient, climate-ready Westchester. This is exactly the kind of forward-thinking investment the Environmental Bond Act was designed to support.”
State Sen. Shelley Mayer said, “This funding will enable essential updates to key bridges and other portions of the Blind Brook watershed, reducing likely water flow during storms and ensuring safe travel for New Yorkers.”
