Photos: Explore The 100-Year-Old Gowanus Flushing Tunnel
24 photos
When it was completed in 1911, the western outlet of the Flushing Tunnel was located two feet below the low water mark. Even when drained of water, the Flushing Tunnel still had seepage from the tidewater of the bay, as well as from natural freshwater springs flowing from the Brooklyn aquifer. These shots are looking at the westernmost portion of the tunnel (the only portion without the sewer installed), and the placid water is sitting about even with the low-tide mark.
The 1911 Flushing Tunnel’s main renovation was the installation of new larger, better pumps at the eastern end (by the Gowanus Canal) and the installation of a sewer line inside the tunnel itself, encased in a concrete slab running down the center of the tunnel. Here, by the western end of the tunnel, sprayed-on concrete over the bricks has been added for waterproofing and support as well.
Walking through the old tunnel was a reminder of the huge investments in high-quality infrastructure that New York City has made in prior centuries, and that we still rely on today. “There are no missing bricks” in the century-old original tunnel – how many current construction projects will be able to claim that in 100 years? [quoted in New York Times, “Under the Gowanus Canal, Flushing Out the Stench” – 2/23/2011]
Utility cables and water pipes handle construction needs along the 1.2 mile long tunnel.
Forgotten tools sit in the muck, perhaps washed from their work sites during hurricane Sandy.
Forgotten tools sit in the muck, perhaps washed from their work sites during hurricane Sandy.
When it was completed in 1911, the western outlet of the Flushing Tunnel was located two feet below the low water mark. Even when drained of water, the Flushing Tunnel still had seepage from the tidewater of the bay, as well as from natural freshwater springs flowing from the Brooklyn aquifer. These shots are looking at the westernmost portion of the tunnel (the only portion without the sewer installed), and the placid water is sitting about even with the low-tide mark.
For much of the 1.2 mile length of the tunnel, no reinforcement had to be made to the old brickwork. Groundwater from ancient springs still manages to seep in, forming puddles.
Cobble Hill and Boerum Hill, under which the tunnel passes, had their share of natural streams and springs; some of these can be seen more distinctly as small trickles of water flowing into the Flushing Tunnel through the bricks.
The sewer line in the tunnel was originally installed in 1988, but it quickly broke. (It was cheaper to jury-rig it through the Flushing Tunnel than to actually dig a properly graded sewer.) The same calculus of expediency led to making this jury-rigged sewer permanent in 2012-2013, but this time more solidly. Here, the framework of rebar surrounds the sewer line, in preparation for the concrete that will (hopefully) anchor and protect it.
The sewer line in the tunnel was originally installed in 1988, but it quickly broke; the more solid renovation involves a framework of rebar around the pipe, in preparation for concrete, while temporary plastic sheeting protects the work from the drip of groundwater (i.e. natural springs) that seeps through the bricks.
The sewer line in the tunnel was originally installed in 1988, but it quickly broke; the more solid renovation involves a framework of rebar around the pipe, in preparation for concrete, while temporary plastic sheeting protects the work from the drip of groundwater (i.e. natural springs) that seeps through the bricks.
Close to the Gowanus Canal end, the groundwater that collects in the tunnel is sumped out through the pipes along the side.
Close to the Gowanus Canal end, the groundwater that collects in the tunnel is sumped out through the pipes along the side.
Close to the Gowanus Canal end, the groundwater that collects in the tunnel is sumped out through the pipes along the side.
Close to the Gowanus Canal end, the groundwater that collects in the tunnel is sumped out through the pipes along the side. Utility cables support the construction work along the 1.2-mile length of the tunnel.
The basement of the Pumping Station, at the very edge of the Gowanus Canal, during excavation for installation of the three new submersible turbine pumps to be installed.
The original 1911 pump mechanism was a giant ship’s propeller & motor, which broke in the 1960s. The new pumps now installed in the Flushing Tunnel Pumping Station are three submersible turbines, which give both a slightly higher pumping capacity and also give some redundancy.
View from the Flushing Tunnel into the Pumping Station, now filled with water and three turbine pumps. (And how much higher pumping capacity have we achieved with 100 years of technology? …the three new turbines only pump 30% more water than the single bronzed propeller of 100 years ago.
A citizen-explorer, bringing light to the murky issues of the 1911 Flushing Tunnel, sewers, trash (note the trash bags in lower right), and groundwater (note the sump-water pipes on left-hand side). As Mayor Gaynor said on the opening of the Flushing Tunnel – referring to citizens who were involved enough to explore the waterfront and make recommendations about infrastructure – “It is a most commendable spirit in the community” (New York Times, “Celebrate Clean-Up Of Gowanus Canal,” 6/22/1911)
Taking a breather, where rebar framework is ready for new concrete to reinforce the old tunnel.
Rebar framework ready for new concrete to reinforce the old tunnel, with the newly-laid concrete slab around the sewer force main running along the bottom center of the tunnel.
Rebar framework ready for new concrete to reinforce the old tunnel, with the newly-laid concrete slab around the sewer force main running along the bottom center of the tunnel.
Brick, concrete, mud, and mucky water down below… one of the wonderful things about tunnels is the sense that time stands still. Sixty feet below Degraw Street, it could be 1913, 2013, or 2113.