Sewer Repairs On Bay 28th Shut Down Block, Coat Everything In Dust

Sewer repairs on Bay 28th Street have prompted the city to shut down an entire block for construction between the hours of 6am and 6pm weekdays, leaving behind quite a mess.

The block between Bath Avenue and Benson Avenue was covered in a sheet of brown dust on Wednesday, and the street was filled with gaping holes and piles of gravel. Residents say they have been staying indoors with the windows sealed.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School student Alex Pember, 15, said he’s not bothered by the construction, which began last week, because he is usually at school when crews are out, but the dust is becoming overwhelming.

“It’s annoying, because everything is dirty,” he said.”You can’t even open the windows.”

Not all neighbors are bothered by the ruckus, though.

“We were having backups at my house; it’s got to get done,” said neighbor German Hidalgo, 64. “When they are doing work, you got to take the good with the bad. It’s unavoidable.

“I have asthma, and the dust doesn’t bother me,” he added.

The work is expected to continue for five more days, according to crew members. We were told the work was prompted by a collapsed sewer pipe, but have yet to confirm that information.