County Announces $5M To Port Jeff Station Sewer Project

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone (D-West Babylon) was joined by elected officials and community leaders to announce a grant of $5 million from the County’s Water Infrastructure Fund to advance the connection of the Port Jefferson Station Commercial Hub area to the County sewer system.

The funding, from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), will make the project shovel ready for construction so that the County is well- positioned to obtain additional federal and state grant funds, the County Executive noted.

“There is more sewer construction underway right now than our County has seen in more than 50 years, and we know from experience that having projects designed and ready to go is the key to success in leveraging additional state and federal fund,” said Bellone.

“As a result of hard work and cooperation with Town government and community leaders, we will break ground this month on sewer projects in Kings Park and Central Islip. Our goal here is to continue our partnership with the Town and community to get to a similar groundbreaking for the Port Jefferson station Hub.”

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D) provided comments on the project:

“I am proud I helped deliver hundreds of millions of dollars that are being used to expand and improve Suffolk County’s wastewater infrastructure,” said Schumer. “I commend County Executive Steve Bellone for committing $5 million in American Rescue Plan aid – funding that I fought hard to get to Long Island – to advance the Port Jefferson Station Commercial Hub connection project. This project will revitalize Port Jefferson Station’s commercial corridor, boost economic development, and protect public health and the environment by stemming the tide of toxic nitrogen into our groundwater and waterways. Suffolk County is building back stronger post-pandemic and I will continue fighting each and every day to bring federal funds to Long Island.”

The long-awaited sewer project will connect seventy-three parcels in the Port Jefferson Station Hub Commercial area to an existing treatment plant at Suffolk County Sewer District No. 2 in Mount Sinai. It is the outgrowth of the communitybased Port Jefferson Station Commercial Hub Study completed by the Town of Brookhaven in cooperation with a Citizens Advisory Committee in 2014.

The County added the project to its Capital Program and has awarded a contract to complete the design of the project, which is currently underway. The funding announced today will be used to complete the design of the project and make an initial contribution towards construction. The Suffolk County Sewer Agency is expected to approve a Map, Plan and Report for the project in December, clearing the way for a public hearing and approval by the Suffolk County Legislature needed for the County to let a construction contract for the project.

Suffolk Legislator Kara Hahn (D-Setauket) said: “Investments into wastewater treatment are investments into the future of a community. With each project funded, Suffolk County is making a commitment to bettering lives through economic growth, community revitalization and a cleaner environment. Sewering will become the foundation on which the Port Jefferson Station hub will be built and move us forward toward the future residents envisioned in its 2014 commercial redevelopment plan.”