The front page of the New York Times has a major story today about how the mayor of New York has stopped work on the city's third water tunnel. It's an action that is so completely devoid of merit that it is amazing even for someone as ideological and brain dead as Bill DeBlasio.
Let's back up for a moment to consider exactly what the water tunnel is and what it does. New York City gets essentially all of its water from upstate. The water comes to the city through two very large underground conduits, the water tunnels, that carry millions of gallons each day. Fifty years ago, it was recognized that the two tunnels were getting old and would soon need repair. There was no way to carry out such repairs, however. In order to fix problems in the tunnels, the water would have to be removed, and that would mean that water service in the city would be inadequate. There were also fears that were the water flow through one of the old tunnels to be cut off, the structure would collapse. This made even a short term cut off impossible. In addition, the valves that would supposedly be used to cut off the water flow were suspect at best; it was feared that they would not work. In order to remedy these major problems and to increase the capacity of the tunnels to carry water, plans were developed to construct a third water tunnel to supply the city. Construction began in the 1970's.
The third tunnel has been under construction for the last 40 years. There was a short time during which construction stopped when New York had its financial crisis in the 1970's. This monumental public work, however, has moved forward slowly and it now is nearly completed. According to the Times report this morning, the tunnel is now able to carry water to Manhattan and the Bronx, but the last leg that brings water to some five million people in Queens and Brooklyn is only partially completed. This is the work that DeBlasio has now ordered stopped.
Think about this for a moment. For the last fifty years, mayor after mayor (and governor after governor) has supported construction of this tunnel as necessary for the survival of New York City. That view is perhaps best called a "no brainer". After all, were one of the two old tunnels to fail, New York would be strangled by a lack of water. There is no alternative source that could bring water to the millions who live in the city. Indeed, one of the big fears of law enforcement has been that a terror attack would target the water tunnels. A well placed attack could make much of New York uninhabitable for many years. Now, however, that the third tunnel is almost completed at a cost of billions of dollars, DeBlasio has ordered it stopped.
The supposed reason for the mayor's action is to keep a lid on water charges in the city. That's just crazy. Even if the tunnel does not get finished, the associated costs will still go into the rate base. Costs will not be reduced. The only thing lost will be the ability of the water system to survive a calamity and support population growth.
If there ever were a move that illustrated why DeBlasio ought not be re-elected, this is it.
Let's back up for a moment to consider exactly what the water tunnel is and what it does. New York City gets essentially all of its water from upstate. The water comes to the city through two very large underground conduits, the water tunnels, that carry millions of gallons each day. Fifty years ago, it was recognized that the two tunnels were getting old and would soon need repair. There was no way to carry out such repairs, however. In order to fix problems in the tunnels, the water would have to be removed, and that would mean that water service in the city would be inadequate. There were also fears that were the water flow through one of the old tunnels to be cut off, the structure would collapse. This made even a short term cut off impossible. In addition, the valves that would supposedly be used to cut off the water flow were suspect at best; it was feared that they would not work. In order to remedy these major problems and to increase the capacity of the tunnels to carry water, plans were developed to construct a third water tunnel to supply the city. Construction began in the 1970's.
The third tunnel has been under construction for the last 40 years. There was a short time during which construction stopped when New York had its financial crisis in the 1970's. This monumental public work, however, has moved forward slowly and it now is nearly completed. According to the Times report this morning, the tunnel is now able to carry water to Manhattan and the Bronx, but the last leg that brings water to some five million people in Queens and Brooklyn is only partially completed. This is the work that DeBlasio has now ordered stopped.
Think about this for a moment. For the last fifty years, mayor after mayor (and governor after governor) has supported construction of this tunnel as necessary for the survival of New York City. That view is perhaps best called a "no brainer". After all, were one of the two old tunnels to fail, New York would be strangled by a lack of water. There is no alternative source that could bring water to the millions who live in the city. Indeed, one of the big fears of law enforcement has been that a terror attack would target the water tunnels. A well placed attack could make much of New York uninhabitable for many years. Now, however, that the third tunnel is almost completed at a cost of billions of dollars, DeBlasio has ordered it stopped.
The supposed reason for the mayor's action is to keep a lid on water charges in the city. That's just crazy. Even if the tunnel does not get finished, the associated costs will still go into the rate base. Costs will not be reduced. The only thing lost will be the ability of the water system to survive a calamity and support population growth.
If there ever were a move that illustrated why DeBlasio ought not be re-elected, this is it.
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