Several rows of sewer pipes, stacked wood, and metal lay on the sidewalks of East Mosholu Parkway North heading toward Jerome Avenue. A loader operated by a construction worker swiftly scoops up dirt and places it on top of newly placed pipes. A second worker waves an orange flag alongside a sign that reads, “Road closed local & emergency traffic only,” directing drivers to turn right onto Kossuth Avenue, which has been converted to a one-way street in the opposite direction.

Located near the Mosholu Parkway #4 train entrance, this active construction site is visible to many in the community. The operation being performed, a water main and sewer are being replaced, adding to the number of major construction projects happening around Norwood.

The city Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is working with C.A.C Industries to conduct a sewer installation project, though the agency provided very few details on the scope of the project. Based out of Long Island City, C.A.C is a construction company that lists the development of complex sewer lines a main part of their business model.

“DEP is working to repair the sewer running under the roadway. In order to do that, first the 8” diameter water main needed to be moved and replaced. Work to replace the existing 12” sewer is now under way,” DEP spokesman Ted Timbers wrote in a statement to the Norwood News.

Multiple flyers indicate no parking on the block Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Workers appeared to begin work without a notice or some sort of alert to the community. The job is expected to be completed by Nov. 9-10, according to the DEP. The lack of parking on the block and misdirection of roads has left many store owners and customers abutting the project in disarray.

“They have been working here since the 15th [of October],” said Carlos, an electronics salesman who works out a storefront at 5 E. Mosholu Pkwy. N. “It gets real loud and we noticed a drop in customers since they started working,” he said.

Other local businesses on the block have experienced similar effects.

“I have had clients who are scheduled to meet with me, but end up not showing. They see all the construction in the area and assume our store is closed,” said Nate, a customer service representative at the Metro PCS store at 7 E. Mosholu Pkwy. N.

Gabriel, a barber who works out of Agustin Barber shop at 3 E. Mosholu Pkwy. N., has had multiple customers cancel their haircut appointments. “They tell me they’re on the way. Then I forget to tell them that parking is blocked off and they have to wait an extra 30 minutes to find a meter. They end up not making it to the shop in time and ultimately not showing up,” he said.

Construction in Norwood has been quite the norm lately, especially along Jerome Avenue. Another sewer replacement job on Bainbridge Avenue between Jerome Avenue and East 211th Street, is also under way. The city has temporarily converted the two-way street into a one-way as workers with the city Department of Design and Construction have been replacing old trunk water mains since mid-October.

In front of the Citibank at 3454 Jerome Ave., crews have ripped up a portion of the sidewalk, though there are no indications on what exactly is happening. “I just hope whatever has to be done, that it’s completed fast,” said Gabriel, as he pointed outside the barbershop window to orange barricades and caution tape.

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Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.