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New York City is awarding a $1.1 billion contract to Frontier-Kemper, a subsidiary of Tutor Perini, for the construction of a new tunnel as part of the Kensico-Eastview Connection (KEC) project. This massive infrastructure effort aims to strengthen the water supply system for millions of residents in New York City and Westchester County. Expected to span over the next decade, the project will bring the new tunnel fully online by 2035.
The KEC project, launched by the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) earlier this year, marks the city’s largest water-supply tunnel construction in Westchester County since the 1940s. When completed, the 2-mile-long tunnel will connect the Kensico Reservoir with the Catskill-Delaware Ultraviolet Light Disinfection Facility (CDUV) in Eastview, enabling greater flexibility in water system operations by allowing the DEP to conduct maintenance on other parts of the network.
This project is expected to create hundreds of local jobs and boost the water system’s capacity, which currently delivers around 1 billion gallons daily to 8. 6 million New York City residents and 500,000 Westchester County residents. With this new addition, the city’s water infrastructure will be capable of handling up to 2. 6 billion gallons per day. Furthermore, the project aims to enhance the overall sustainability of the water supply, ensuring that it meets the increasing demands of the growing population. As a result, residents can expect improved New York City water quality, with better filtration systems and updated treatment processes in place. This initiative not only addresses immediate needs but also prepares the infrastructure for future challenges in water management.
In the first phase, Frontier-Kemper will prepare the site near Kensico Reservoir, excavate two deep shafts, and tunnel between them. The tunnel will be dug using a tunnel boring machine, which will create a 27-foot-diameter passage lined with concrete. This route will allow continuous water flow, even during system maintenance, further enhancing DEP’s capability to provide reliable, clean drinking water.
The DEP has also committed to upgrading additional facilities around Kensico Reservoir and CDUV. Planned improvements include expanding an intake chamber, reinforcing the reservoir shoreline to prevent sediment flow, and adding new systems for chemical treatment. The project also involves building a screen chamber to filter debris and improving drainage and utility infrastructure.
Upon completion, the Kensico-Eastview Connection will streamline water delivery to the CDUV facility, which plays a crucial role in maintaining water quality as it travels to New York City. The new infrastructure will also support normal operations at the Hillview Reservoir during maintenance or unexpected issues.
This \$1.9 billion undertaking underscores New York City’s commitment to ensuring a resilient water supply system. Over the next decade, DEP plans to invest $29 billion in additional projects to maintain and expand the water infrastructure serving one of the world’s largest and most complex urban environments.
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