By Patricia McDaniel
MIDDLETOWN – As the final phase of the federal Port Monmouth Storm Risk Reduction Project begins, Port Monmouth residents are one step closer to greater protection from destructive flood surges.
On Nov. 25, 12 years after Super Storm Sandy devastated Port Monmouth and other Shore communities, U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-6) was in the township to launch the final $61.8 million phase of the project. The project is fully funded by the federal government, Pallone’s office noted.
Pallone was joined by local, state and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials, among others.
“This project began as a promise after Sandy – to rebuild smarter, stronger and protect our communities from climate change,” Pallone said. “With this final phase underway, Port Monmouth will finally have the protection it needs for the future. This is a model for how the federal government can partner with local communities to safeguard our coastline.”
A May 2020 Rutgers University New Jersey Climate Change Resource Center report outlined the crux of the problem in the Two River area: The sea level at the Jersey Shore “has risen about 18 inches since the early 1900s, more than twice the global mean of about 8 inches.”
This final phase will address flooding issues in Port Monmouth. It includes floodwalls along Highway 36, drainage systems, levees and road closure gates along Compton Creek between Campbell Avenue and Broadway. These improvements are designed to protect homes, businesses and infrastructure from storm surges and rising sea levels, Pallone said.
Middletown Mayor Tony Perry, speaking at the launch, welcomed the completion plans. “The township committee and I are excited to see the final phase of this project come to fruition,” Perry said. “Over a decade in the making, this project has been a critical investment in protecting our residents and I believe it will be a fundamental source of security for generations to come.”
Pallone secured funding for the project through the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013. He spoke about the project’s impact. “It’s impossible to forget the destruction Sandy brought here,” Pallone said in a release after the event. “This isn’t just about flood protection – it’s about restoring security to the Bayshore and ensuring families and businesses don’t live in fear of the next storm.”
Pallone’s office said the project is part of a broader effort to improve New Jersey’s “coastal resilience. “ The project is fully funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and is expected to be completed in 2028. When finished, it will include extensive beachfill, wetlands mitigation, tide gates, concrete floodwalls, raised roads and interior drainage improvements to manage heavy rainfall and storm surges.
The project also represents the “importance of federal investments in confronting the realities of climate change and protecting New Jersey’s coastline,” Pallone said.
“This contract award represents our ongoing commitment to safeguarding coastal communities against the increasing threat of severe weather events,” said Col. Alex Young, Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, who was on hand for the announcement. Young said the project is dedicated to “supporting local enterprises while delivering essential flood risk management solutions.”
State environmental officials praised the project and the federal government’s role. “Today marks a historic step for climate resilience efforts in New Jersey,” said state Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette.
“This project provides valuable community flood protection against future storms and sea-level rise, while enhancing and protecting the Raritan Bay shorelines and marsh systems that provide critical wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities,” he added.
In addition to the Port Monmouth project, other federal storm risk reduction projects are being completed in Keansburg and Union Beach. The state DEP’s Office of Coastal Engineering is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the three projects.
The article originally appeared in the December 5 – 11, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
