December 20, 2019
National Grid’s contractor, Posillico Environmental, is implementing bulkhead barrier wall construction related to the Fulton former Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP) Site in accordance with the EPA-approved design. This project includes replacing approximately 880 linear feet of existing bulkheads along the eastern side of the Gowanus Canal from the canal’s head end (at Butler Street) to the Union Street Bridge. The new bulkhead barrier wall will include steel sheet piling with an anchored support system that has been designed to serve as both an environmental barrier and be able to support the EPA’s planned canal dredging and capping remedy. Mobilization for this phase of the work began on August 28, 2019 and barrier wall construction is expected to occur over an approximately 12-month period. Community air monitoring and construction monitoring for vibration and movement is being performed throughout the project.
Completed Activities
Pre-clearing the bulkhead alignment of debris and potential obstructions to allow mobilization of equipment to the head end of the canal and facilitate construction of the barrier wall was recently completed. All debris removed during this pre-clearing was deemed to be not culturally significant and approved for off-site disposal by EPA.
Drilling equipment, a specialty barge, and a temporary water treatment system were mobilized to the site to support barrier wall construction activities.
On-Going Activities
- Preparing the upland area for pre-drilling of the bulkhead alignment.
- Initiation of pre-drilling the barrier wall alignment along VI (242 Nevins Street), VII (234 Butler Street).
- Test pitting for utility locations.
- Completion of the installation of the sound curtain at the 270 Nevins Street (Parcel I) property along the canal in the area between DeGraw and Sackett Streets.
- Air monitoring.
- Movement and vibration monitoring at Parcels I, VI (242 Nevins Street), VII (234 Butler Street), and the head end of the canal.
- Noise monitoring.
- Delivery of project related construction materials
- Pre-condition surveys.
Upcoming Activities
The next step in constructing the barrier wall is pre-drilling of the wall alignment within the canal. Drilling has been initiated and it is currently anticipated that this work will take approximately 3 months to complete.
It is expected that construction of the sound curtain between the Parcel I building and the canal will be completed in December 2019.
Community Air Monitoring Plan Summary
Air quality monitoring is being performed consistent with the Community Air Monitoring Plan (CAMP) for the Fulton Site using a MiniRAE 3000+ PID for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and TSI Dust Trak DRX Dust Meter. No VOC or dust levels attributable to the barrier wall project have been detected above Action levels during working hours to date.
Contact Information
National Grid will provide updates as the work at the site proceeds. For more information, please leave a message on our hotline at (718) 982-7349 or email us at info@fultonmgpsite.com
Website Update Information
National Grid will provide regular activity updates during construction of the Fulton barrier wall. During the mobilization and site set-up phase, these updates are being provided on an approximately bi-weekly basis. Once barrier wall construction is underway, these updates will be provided approximately weekly. All updates will be archived under the Key Documents tab of this website.
Drill Rig mobilized on Jack up Barge and being prepared for pre-drilling operations.
Drill rig mobilized and being prepared on Parcel VII.
Drill Rig mobilized on Jack up Barge and being prepared for pre-drilling operations.