Emergency sewer repair project in Greenburgh stinks – but it’s necessary, officials say

Greenburgh residents report experiencing foul sewage odors and traffic problems due to a city construction project.

Apartment owner Rudy Rinaldi says the project disrupts the operations of several buildings along East Hartsdale Avenue. He says residents cannot park, cannot walk on the sidewalk and access to the garage is limited because it is built over the sewer line.

The emergency sewer repair project began shortly after Memorial Day in response to a sewer pipe break. The city sent residents a notice informing them that work will continue until mid-October or possibly November.

Resident Heather Gordon says it's “a hopeless situation” considering all the traffic the project will cause, but some see the inconvenience as a necessary evil.

“We all know we need to make the repairs. We can't be short-sighted and say, 'We're not going to make the repairs,' and everyone in the community knows the repairs need to be made. I think we need to have weekly meetings with residents to see if we can reduce some of the inconveniences,” said Greenburgh City Councilman Paul Feiner.

City officials say the construction steps now being taken “must be deliberate and carefully considered to avoid mistakes associated with rushed repairs.”