AECOM has secured a major infrastructure contract in New York City as part of a joint venture to deliver the city’s first combined sewer overflow (CSO) storage tunnel.
The project, awarded by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, will be led by Newtown Creek CSO Partners—a joint venture that includes Parsons Corporation and EPC Consultants Inc..
The initiative is a critical component of the city’s long-term strategy to modernize wastewater infrastructure and reduce pollution entering Newtown Creek, a federally designated Superfund site.
The project will involve construction oversight for approximately 3.25 miles of underground tunnel and associated infrastructure, including storage and conveyance systems, a dewatering pump station and connections to an existing wastewater treatment facility.
Once completed, the system is expected to store up to 50 million gallons of overflow, significantly reducing combined sewer discharges into Newtown Creek during heavy rainfall events.
“Reducing combined sewer overflows is essential to restoring the health of urban waterways and strengthening community resilience,” said Beverley Stinson. “Beyond its local benefits, this project contributes to the global effort to modernize water systems in the face of climate pressures, demonstrating how cities like New York can lead in protecting vital waterways long affected by industrial and sewage contamination while meeting long-term environmental compliance goals.”
AECOM leaders emphasized the broader significance of the project, highlighting its role in improving environmental quality and supporting community resilience across Brooklyn and Queens.
“This project represents a critical investment in New York City’s environmental infrastructure and a major step forward in protecting Newtown Creek,” said Sam Donelson. “Our team brings extensive experience managing complex, urban tunneling programs, and we are proud to partner with NYCDEP to help advance a solution that will deliver lasting environmental and community benefits for Brooklyn and Queens.”
Combined sewer overflow systems, common in older cities like New York, collect stormwater and wastewater in the same pipes. During heavy storms, excess flow can overwhelm the system, leading to untreated discharges into nearby waterways. Projects like the Newtown Creek tunnel are designed to capture and store this overflow until it can be properly treated.
The Newtown Creek project also reflects a broader national push to upgrade aging water infrastructure in response to climate change, population growth and stricter environmental regulations.
In addition to environmental benefits, the project is expected to create construction and engineering jobs while supporting long-term public health improvements by reducing water contamination.
AECOM noted that the project aligns with its “Sustainable Legacies” strategy, focusing on delivering resilient infrastructure solutions that address both environmental and community needs.
The Newtown Creek CSO tunnel marks a major step in New York City’s efforts to modernize wastewater infrastructure, reduce pollution and build climate resilience—while reinforcing AECOM’s role in delivering complex urban infrastructure projects worldwide.
Originally reported by Business Wire.
