Mayor Adams Unveils 3D Map of NYC Underground

By Y.M. Lowy

Mayor Eric Adams announced a new program called 3D Underground (3DU) to create a map of everything under New York City. This includes water and sewer pipes, gas lines, electrical cables, fiber optics, and even the soil. The project was created to help city agencies and utility companies share information and plan projects more safely and quickly.

The program will make it easier for the city to respond to emergencies and prevent problems before they happen. It will also help with building projects, stormwater management, and keeping streets and transit running smoothly.

The idea started after 9/11, when the city realized it needed better maps of underground infrastructure. Now, many years of technological advancements later, the city will use existing reports, work with Columbia University, and collect new soil data to make the map as accurate as possible.

The project is funded with $10 million from a federal grant after Hurricane Ida, and the platform is expected to be ready in early 2028.