MRCE Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering

Challenges Solved

As part of NYC’s green infrastructure initiative, bioswales are being constructed within streets and sidewalks and on building sites across all NYC boroughs. Bioswales fit easily into the environment while they collect and absorb stormwater, manage runoff, and reduce the volume of water entering the Combined Sewer Outfall (CSO) system, which had been overloaded during rain events. The main project challenge is to determine the appropriate location for each bioswales. To do this, hundreds of sites are investigated and analyzed, and recommendations are made about which are the most appropriate sites to construct the bioswales. MRCE has provided geotechnical services for the investigation of over 4000 bioswales locations for New York City agencies such as the Economic Development Corporation (EDC), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the Department of Design and Construction (DDC). Often performed as part of large on-call or task order contracts, MRCE has also completed smaller investigations for On-Site Bioswales, which are generally performed for the Housing Authority (NYCHA), Department of Education (NYCDOE), Parks and Recreation and Department of Transportation (NYCDOT). MRCE planned and performed the subsurface exploration program for each of the proposed sites, including drilling and permeability testing, inspection, oversight, lab testing, and reporting of results and recommendations for final bioswales locations.