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RÍO PUERTO NUEVO

Upper Río Piedras

 
 
Design
Construction Start
Construction End

Notre Dame Bridge

Design & Construction Contract No. 5A

95%
Summer 2027
Late 2031

Upper Río Piedras

Design & Construction Contract No. 6A

30%
Fall 2029
Fall 2034

Quebrada Buena Vista

Design & Construction Contract No. 6B

10%
Fall 2030
Fall 2035
Upper Río Piedras Map
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This phase of the project includes the upstream reaches of the Río Piedras and the Quebrada Buena Vista which flow through the Villa Nevárez, Jardines Metropolitanos, and University Gardens communities. During significant upstream rainstorms, the Quebrada Buena Vista overtops its banks and floods the streets and homes near it. Additionally, sections of the ceilings and walls of the channel which flow underground through Villa Nevárez Park are collapsing.

The main channel of the Río Piedras, which flows through University Gardens, also overtops and floods the surrounding area during significant upstream rain events. During small storms, the floodwaters rise to the bottom of the Notre Dame Bridge. However, during larger storms, the water overtops the bridge and causes flooding in residential neighborhoods and restricting traffic between the Jardines Metropolitanos, Villa Nevárez, and University Gardens communities.

Completing this upstream phase of the project is crucial for the overall success of the Río Puerto Nuevo Flood Risk Management Project. Deepening and widening the Río Piedras (which requires replacing the Notre Dame Bridge) will allow for water to flow downstream without creating additional flood risk to the community. Building a diversion channel for Quebrada Buena Vista will increase the channel's capacity to move water away from the Villa Nevárez community and to the Río Piedras. After the work on the channels is complete, trees will be replanted and park space will be restored to ensure that the community does not lose its important greenspace.

Project Information

Upper Río Piedras at Notre Dame Bridge
During heavy rain events (categorized as 2-year flood events or greater) in the upstream region of the basin near Cupey and Caimito, floodwaters reach the top of the banks of the river and the Notre Dame Bridge.
Upper Río Piedras at Notre Dame Bridge
In this phase of the project, the river will be deepened and widened to increase channel capacity and efficiently convey water downstream to reduce flooding during major storms. The remaining green areas will be replanted with native and/or non-invasive trees and designed to allow for future recreational considerations.
Flooding in University Gardens
During significant storms, roads and homes in University Gardens are flooded. (Photo Credit: Noel de Pilar)
Quebrada Buena Vista
Aging infrastructure, uncontrolled vegetation, and flooding which overtops the channel have caused sections Quebrada Buena Vista's walls to fail. Because this channel lacks the capacity to safely convey flood waters, diverting its flow by constructing a new channel through University of Puerto Rico lands will significantly reduce the risk of flooding in the Villa Nevárez community.

Notre Dame Bridge

Design & Construction Contract No. 5A

Located in a residential area, the Notre Dame Bridge is a main connection point for the Jardines Metropolitanos, Villa Nevárez, and University Gardens communities. During storms, water often rises to the top of bridge and flows into the street. Additionally, the existing stormwater pipes and inlets built into the bridge have collapsed and threaten the structural integrity of the bridge itself.

Because the banks of the Río Piedras will be widened and reinforced with concrete walls, the bridge must be rebuilt to accommodate the redesigned channel. Additionally, the bridge will meet the latest seismic requirements to allow it to withstand significant earthquakes.

Upper Río Piedras River

Design & Construction Contract No. 6A

In this section of the Río Piedras, the river will be deepened and widened to increase channel capacity and efficiently convey water downstream. The banks of the river will be reinforced with concrete walls to provide structural stability while ensuring that water moves efficiently downstream without flooding. The river bottom will not be filled with concrete. Although riprap and other grade control structures will be added to prevent erosion, the river bottom will feature natural soil and rocks which will allow for vegetation to grow.

Currently, erosion from the consistent flooding is causing mature trees to fall into the river. After construction is completed, the remaining green spaces will be replanted with vegetation, and native or non-invasive trees to maintain the beautiful, parklike view of the river.

Quebrada Buena Vista

Design & Construction Contract No. 6B

This phase of the project involves constructing a new diversion channel for the Quebrada Buena Vista in Villa Nevárez. The existing channel, which is small, flows between Calle 13 and 15, under Villa Nevárez Park, and between Calle 10 and 18 to meet the Río Piedras. This existing channel will remain.

However, a new diversion canal will be built from PR-21 to guide floodwater from the Quebrada Buena Vista to the Río Piedras on the far west side of the University of Puerto Rico Experimental Station. The canal will be constructed underground and the area it runs under will be restored. This diversion canal will reroute over 90% of the maximum water that floods Villa Nevárez during a 100-year storm event and is essential to protect homes in the community from flood waters.

Construction Information

Notre Dame Bridge

Construction information will be released after the project is awarded to a contractor in Summer 2027.

Upper Río Piedras River

Construction information will be released after the project is awarded to a contractor in Fall 2029.

Quebrada Buena Vista

Construction information will be released after the project is awarded to a contractor in Late 2030.
Last Updated: July 2025