Born after Superstorm Sandy's destruction, 2 big flood control projects get underway in New Jersey
A decade after they were envisioned in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy’s destruction, two of the largest flood control projects designed to protect densely populated cities in New Jersey just outside New York City are getting underway
HOBOKEN, N.J. — A decade after they were first envisioned in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy ’s destruction, two of the largest flood control projects designed to protect the densely populated cities of New Jersey that lie just outside New York City will finally get underway Wednesday.
A project in Hoboken, which was inundated by flooding during the 2012 storm, and another in the densely populated Meadowlands region, which also saw catastrophic flooding, will kick off. The projects will cost nearly $298 million and are designed to protect some of the region's most vulnerable communities.
Both projects were formulated by the group Rebuild By Design, which was initiated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in 2013, and New Jersey environmental officials. Rebuild By Design looked at ways to reduce flood risk and increase resiliency in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, and it launched a series of projects that are in various phases of planning or construction.
“What you’re seeing in New Jersey is that we can create projects that protect communities from damage and flooding, and do it in ways that enhance communities,” said Amy Chester, Rebuild By Design’s managing director.
RBD Hudson River is by far the larger of the two, costing $215 million. It calls for building 9,000 linear feet (about 1.7 miles or 2.7 kilometers) of flood walls, installation of flood gates and construction of berms and levees. Most of the work will be done in Hoboken, but parts will extend to
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