City officials introduced a new system of retractable flood barriers along the East River on Monday, representing a significant step in safeguarding Lower Manhattan against future storms and protecting approximately 120,000 residents.
These barriers, designed to flip up when needed, are a crucial feature of the East Side Coastal Resiliency initiative. Extending three-quarters of a mile beyond the Brooklyn Bridge, they are part of the city’s broader strategy to reduce the risk of storm surges and flooding—dangers that became alarmingly evident when Superstorm Sandy struck in 2012.
“We’ll have over 90 flip-up gates that will be deployed in less than three minutes,” said Tom Foley, commissioner of the city’s Department of Design and Construction, during a press conference on Monday.
With the simple activation of a control system, the robust steel panels rise from the ground to form a flood-resistant wall reaching 30 feet in height, creating a crucial defense against storm-driven waters.
“It’s electric deployment, and they pop up in sequence as you’re heading north,” Foley explained. He also reassured that in case of an electrical failure, the system allows for manual operation to maintain functionality.
The project, with a price tag of $349 million, consists of 97 movable flood barriers, spanning from the Brooklyn Bridge to Montgomery Street. This segment is a critical link in the city’s larger 3.22-mile protective infrastructure, which extends northward to Asser Levy Playground on East 25th Street.
Beyond mitigating flood risks, city officials emphasized that the design also preserves access to the waterfront, ensuring that residents and visitors can continue to enjoy the East River’s scenic views.
“This is about accessibility. It’s about sightlines. It’s about attracting people to this beautiful amenity, which is the East River,” Foley remarked.
The event also marked Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi’s first public appearance following the announcement of her resignation.
“New Yorkers need government to work. More importantly, seeing is believing,” Joshi said.
The flip-up gates are one piece of the larger $2 billion East Side Coastal Resiliency project, an ambitious effort aimed at fortifying over 3.5 miles of Manhattan’s vulnerable shoreline.
“$2 billion worth of work protecting over 3.5 miles of coastline, and we’re really excited about what this means here for the residents and for the community at large,” Foley said.
The construction is expected to be finalized by late 2026, reinforcing the city’s preparedness against intensifying storms and the rising challenges posed by climate change.
{Matzav.com}