The Brookhaven Highway Department received a $910,000 New York State grant to replace the culvert that carries water from Swan River beneath the Barton Avenue overpass in East Patchogue.
The culvert replacement is among 216 projects in 137 communities statewide receiving a total of $484 million from the BRIDGE-NY infrastructure improvement program.
Constructed in 1961, the existing culvert, which carries the Swan River Stream corridor, isn’t big enough to handle heavy rains and is weakened structurally, according to the Town of Brookhaven.
The upgrade will reduce the likelihood of flooding and related complications for the immediate area, according to Brookhaven Highway Superintendent Daniel Losquadro.
“The Brookhaven Highway Department is the only municipality on Long Island to receive grant funding this year from this source,” said Losquadro. “This project will improve roadway safety and flood resilience of the surrounding residential and natural environment for many years to come.”
The scope of this project includes the replacement of two 24-inch corrugated metal pipes with a box culvert; the addition of two water quality units; installation of rip rap headwalls on upstream and downstream flow; replacement of obstructed positive connections; and restoration of the sidewalk and roadway. Work is scheduled to begin and be completed in 2026.
“My office has been, and will continue to be, aggressive in pursuing grant funding to offset taxpayer costs for necessary projects such as this one,” Losquadro said.