Groundbreaking in Mineola-Carle Place on Project to Alleviate Flooding

Jack M. Martins

January 4, 2013

Senator Martins Secures Funding to Put an End to Longstanding Problem

Ground has been broken on a project to alleviate flooding in the Bruce Terrace/Fairfield areas of Mineola and Carle Place. The flooding has been a decades-old problem plaguing some of the residents of those areas who experienced flooding in their homes as a result of heavy rains. However, the end of the problem is now within sight. Senator Jack M. Martins was able to secure a grant, which he distributed to the Village of Mineola, Town of North Hempstead and Nassau County , bringing the three governmental entities together to put an end to the longstanding problem.

The project, which is underway, involves all three levels of government – county, town and village - working together. The Village of Mineola is redesigning the Bruce Terrace storm water drainage system to increase capacity and redesigning the village recharge basin to accommodate the increased volume of water. Nassau County has designed an interceptor, a new storm water drainage system, on Sheridan Boulevard to capture water before it reaches Bruce Terrace and Carle Place and to divert the water south under Westbury Avenue to the village’s recharge basin. The Town of North Hempstead has designed a drainage system for the Fairfield Avenue area of Carle Place to divert water from the area into the old Motor Parkway property, which is being excavated to accommodate the water.

On Thursday, an official groundbreaking was held on the old Motor Parkway property on Westbury Avenue near Bruce Terrace as area residents joined with Senator Martins, Mineola Mayor Scott Strauss, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman, Nassau County Legislator Richard Nicolello and Town of North Hempstead Councilwoman Viviana Russell.

“This project represents all levels of government working together to alleviate a problem that residents have been living with for decades,” said Senator Martins, who, being aware of the problem, was able to re-secure $2.4 million in funding for the project. “I want to thank Mayor Strauss, Supervisor Kaiman and Councilwoman Russell and Legislator Nicolello for fulfilling their commitment on getting this done and the residents for their persistence. That’s why the end of these flooding issues is within our sights.”

It is believed that work, which has already begun, will be completed this year.

PHOTO: Senator Jack M. Martins, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman, Town of North Hempstead Councilwoman Viviana Russell and Mayor Scott Strauss on the old Motor Parkway property, where excavation is taking place.