TRAVIS — Potential fixes to chronic flooding on a Staten Island street in the wake of Hurricane Sandy will be studied by the city, Council Minority Leader Steven Matteo announced on Monday.
As part of the city's push to increase resiliency in the five boroughs, it will look at ways to develop a solutions to flooding on Travis Avenue, between Mulberry Avenue and Victory Boulevard.
"For years I have been seeking solutions for the frequent flooding on Travis Avenue, which is often so inundated during heavy rains that it has to be closed," Matteo said in a statement.
"As a result of the damage this flooding causes, I have worked with the Department of Transportation to resurface the street numerous times a year.
"However, these frequent and costly repairs are not a long-term solution to ensure this vital thoroughfare remains passable. I am looking forward to working with the city to find a long-term solution, whether it be elevation or other mitigation measures, and to saving the city millions of dollars on annual repairs."
The stretch of Travis Avenue, which connects to the West Shore Expressway, runs through the William T. Davis Wildlife Refuge wetland, which collects water from rain and tidal surges and floods onto the street, Matteo said.
The water runoff causes potholes and other road damage, Matteo said.
"Three years ago, Hurricane Sandy devastated Staten Island and other parts of the city, highlighting a growing vulnerability across our shoreline to storms and the growing impacts of climate change," said Daniel Zarrilli, director of the Mayor’s Office of Recovery and Resiliency.
"That’s why we are continuing to make Staten Island safer with resiliency investments in coastal defenses, infrastructure, and neighborhoods.
"This study is a critical next step in a plan to deal with the impacts of sea level rise and regular flooding on Travis Avenue in a way that benefits the surrounding communities and protects the natural environment."
