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In the United States, some cities are adapting to global warming and implementing means to protect themselves, particularly in the face of rising sea levels. This is the case in New York where a flood barrier and an elevated park are under construction. A project worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
From our correspondent in New York,
In the south of Manhattan, for more than 4 kilometres, diggers work to the rhythm of jackhammers. New York City is building a massive wall along the East River.
Thomas Foley is one of the project supervisors. ” It’s a super-structure that starts under our feet at over 35 meters deep, and then on the surface, we have this wall that you see. A 3 meter high wall, made of reinforced concrete “.
The purpose of this wall is to create a completely impermeable barrier in southeast Manhattan, the lowest and most vulnerable point on the island, especially in the face of violent storms. ” What will happen is that we will have a series of gates, and in case of storms or floods, we will close the gates so that this area is the only one flooded. “says Thomas Foley.
Avoid storm flooding
The authorities are particularly seeking to avoid flooding similar to that of last summer after the passage of storms Ida and Henry, where streets and metro stations found themselves under water. Here, everyone also remembers Hurricane Sandy, which completely paralyzed southern Manhattan for several weeks…
“ This project is essential because this whole area has been very affected by Sandy “, explains Thomas Foley. “ There were several meters of water and strong winds, which prevented the rescue teams from accessing certain areas. We have to make sure that the area will be protected and that the inhabitants will be protected. »
In total, the project will cost nearly 1.5 billion dollars and protect, according to the town hall, 110,000 inhabitants. In the long term, it must also enable New York to cope with rising sea levels due to global warming.
A project that is not unanimous
The wall has been designed in such a way that its height can be changed if necessary. But the project is far from unanimous. Because to build the wall, the city must destroy several parks to build new ones which will be raised. A measure that angered some residents.
Harriett Hirshorn is among those who oppose the project: We want flood protection, but we don’t have to kill all the trees for that. There must be at least 5 other solutions. Killing a thousand trees is no small feat, especially when those trees are over 80 years old and healthy! »
This group of residents went so far as to take legal action to block the destruction of the park, in vain. For its part, the town hall specifies that 1,800 trees will be planted in the new parks. Construction work is expected to be completed in 2026.
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