BUFFALO, NY – Buffalo Sewer will begin construction on Hertel Avenue at Deer Street as early as March 18, 2019 to install its fifth Smart Sewer as part of the Real-Time Control Project to decrease combined sewer overflows. Traffic between Foundry Street and Military Avenue will be redirected. Residential homes located within the vicinity of the project will still be accessible during construction. “This project on Hertel Avenue continues Mayor Byron W. Brown’s strong commitment to protect the quality of our City’s many waterways and further reduce combined sewer overflows, and is another positive step forward for Buffalo Sewer and its Long Term Control Plan,” said Oluwole OJ McFoy, General Manager of Buffalo Sewer, “Other smart sewer projects that have been completed are located at Bird, Lang, and Smith, and one currently under construction on North Bailey. We hope to install additional smart sewers throughout the City of Buffalo in the coming years.” The Real-Time Control project is a concrete chamber with moveable gates that will be able to capture and hold up to 4 million gallons of storm water during a wet weather event. This will make it possible for Buffalo Sewer to prevent even more combined sewer overflows. Buffalo Sewer, in partnership with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, continue to work together on a 20-year Long Term Control Plan which, in part, will include the installation of 16 Smart Sewers throughout the city. Construction is expected to run through winter of 2019. Buffalo Sewer will have an inspector onsite during the Hertel Avenue construction to answer any questions from the public.