In an ongoing effort to address flooding along the Bronx River, Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino moved forward with an $800,000 capital project to restore more than three acres of wetlands and river banks in Greenburgh. The bond act has been sent to the Board of Legislators for approval.
Located immediately north of Fisher Lane and east of the Bronx River Parkway, the site is one of seven capital projects the Astorino administration indentified last year as part of a $9 million effort to address chronic flooding along the Bronx River and Sound Shore.
"It is important that we target achievable projects in problem areas in order to reduce and prevent future flooding," Astorino said. "The causes of flooding in this county are a result of many complex factors that cannot be fixed overnight or without significant capital investments beyond the means of the county. But the county can and must continue to do whatever it can on its own to address this problem."
The site is part of the county-owned Bronx River Parkway Reservation, which allows for speedier approvals since the county owns the property.
To enhance the site's capacity for storing and absorbing floodwaters and improving water quality, the project includes:
• Removal of invasive and non-native plants in the wetlands and along the river;
• Replacement of existing, problem culverts with larger, more technologically advanced culverts;
• Excavation of shallow swales and depressions within the wetlands;
• Regrading and stabilization of river banks;
• Replanting wetlands and shorelines with native vegetation.
The project will also help to improve the site's appeal for motorists and pedestrians, in addition to benefiting and diversifying the plant and animal communities.
Last year, four of the seven capital projects targeted by the Astorino administration for funding were along the Bronx River. The three other Bronx River projects include:
• Mount Vernon/Yonkers: Oak Street pump station rehabilitation. Cost estimate $450,000 to $500,000; construction is underway and will be completed by late summer/early fall.
• Yonkers/Eastchester/Scarsdale: Bronx River channel re-alignment and bank stabilization at Garth Woods. Cost estimate $1 million; design to commence later this year.
• Eastchester/Yonkers: Harney Road vicinity stream bank stabilization and channel modification. Cost estimate to be determined; design to commence later this year.
Two additional projects were identified by local municipalities as priority flood-mitigation projects and were proposed to the county for implementation with a local commitment to fund at least 50 percent of the total cost. The county will fund the balance. They are:
• Larchmont: Drainage improvements along Pine Brook at the Boston Post Road (Route 1) crossing. Cost estimate to county $2.3 million; awaiting a revised cost estimate from village.
• New Rochelle: Hutchinson River culvert replacement. Cost estimate to county $2.5 million; awaiting word from the city as to how and when they want to proceed on design as well as the municipalities that will participate (Scarsdale and Eastchester).
Lastly, the county proposed the replacement of a sewer line on Anita Lane in Mamaroneck. The removal of the center support structure currently in the river will contribute to flood mitigation. Cost estimate is $2 million; design is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2013.