After four decades of construction, New York's Water Tunnel No. 3 reached a significant milestone last week with the turn of a ceremonial wheel by Mayor Bloomberg. The project won't be completed until 2021.
"In one of the most significant milestones for the city’s water supply in nearly a century, the tunnel — authorized in 1954, begun in 1970 and considered the largest capital construction project ever undertaken in the five boroughs — will for the first time be equipped to provide water for all of Manhattan," reports Matt Flegenheimer. "Since 1917, the borough has relied on Tunnel No. 1, which was never inspected or significantly repaired after its opening."
Flegenheimer points out that Mayor Bloomberg, an engineering major in college, "has taken a particular interest in the project," performing the largely thankless task of maintaining financing "even in the face of budget shortfalls."
“'It’s not sexy,' Mr. Bloomberg said at a news conference at a distribution site beneath Central Park. 'And nobody says thank you.'”
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