Pallone Surveys Storm Damage and Tours Flood Control Projects in Monmouth County with Army Corps

Union Beach, NJ – Following heavy rains and flooding in Monmouth County last week, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) held a press conference with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during a tour of storm damage and ongoing construction of flood control projects worth nearly $1 billion he has helped secure for the region. Pallone used the tour to assess possible options for future projects to address ongoing flooding due to climate change.

“Last week’s storms and flooding made it clear that coastal states like New Jersey are on the frontlines of rising sea levels and stronger storms due to climate change. I used today’s tour to examine what opportunities there may be to prevent damage from flooding in the future and get an update on the status of ongoing flood control projects,” Pallone said. “I fought to include federal funding for these projects so we can protect homes and businesses from future disasters. I will continue to work with our state and local officials to deliver federal support to our communities across Monmouth County, so they have the resources they need to withstand future storms and flooding events. I’m grateful for the U.S. Army Corps for their partnership and efforts to protect our coastal communities.”

Pallone began the tour at Wesley Lake in Asbury Park, which suffered severe flooding in the business district last week.

The Army Corps is currently constructing major flood control projects in Union Beach and Port Monmouth that were included in Pallone’s tour.

The Union Beach Flood Control Project includes beach replenishment with dunes, pedestrian and automobile dune crossovers, and strategically placed terminal groins, which are similar to jetties. The remaining phases are primarily flood control infrastructure, including flood gates and pump stations.

The project was authorized for construction in the Water Resources Development Act of 2007. Last year, Pallone announced that the U.S. Army Corps awarded a contract for $50 million to complete the first phase of the project. The majority of the funding comes from the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013 that Pallone fought to secure after Superstorm Sandy.

The Port Monmouth Flood Control Project includes the construction of a floodwall and levee system along Route 36 to Creek Road to Broadway as well as the construction of an additional floodwall, levee system, and pumping station along Main Street. The project is expected to be completed by July 2024. The U.S. Army Corps has already completed the construction of a 40-ft wide flood gate and pumping station across Pews Creek and a floodwall on Port Monmouth Road. Pallone secured $110 million in a federal spending bill for the project.

Colonel Alexander Young, who is the Commander of the Army Corps, New York District, joined Pallone as they surveyed new areas that might need beach replenishment and flood control in the aftermath of the recent storms. A proposed Army Corps project in Highlands is in the engineering and design phase. Pallone helped secure $128,700,000 in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for the project.

Monmouth Beach is scheduled to receive sand from the Shrewsbury River dredging project that Pallone secured $26 million to complete. The West End and Elberon sections of Long Branch are scheduled for beach replenishment in November.

In the aftermath of the recent flooding, Pallone and the Colonel also surveyed the outfalls leading to the ocean in various towns from Sandy Hook to Asbury Park. They also stopped in Sea Bright, which will likely need beach replenishment in the near future.