Projects

Today, water ponds in low-lying areas. In the South End, this is particularly pronounced along Iranistan and at the Park Avenue railroad underpass. The flooding disrupts traffic, interrupts business, and diminishes safety and quality of life for neighborhood residents. The ponding that occurs is a result of runoff from surrounding upland areas flowing to low points in the drainage system and the neighborhood, and the drainage system backing up when pipes downstream are already full.

The proposed project will make evident how water flows across the landscape, and the ways in streetscapes, parks, and existing combined sewer systems can be retrofitted to make the South End a safer place for residents, support sustainable adaptation and growth, and enrich the daily lives of residents.

The project has four key components. 1) Removing water from the Park Avenue underpass allows Park to be a more reliable entry into the South End. 2) Creating “green streets” in upslope areas reduces runoff volumes and flooding while enhancing neighborhood aesthetics. 3) Channeling stormwater via green streets into public parks that are designed to hold stormwater further reduces runoff, while providing new green spaces and recreational areas for neighborhood residents. 4) Targeted separation of storm and combined sewer drains and installing a pump that removes excess runoff from the lowest lying areas reduces flood risk.

This project will serve as a case study for future projects in Bridgeport and in other coastal cities in the Northeast by demonstrating many of the objectives and possibilities outlined by the overall strategy. The project will show how “living with water” can reduce flooding, while reaffirming the importance of water – flowing water and access to water — to Bridgeport’s history and identity.