The City of Bayonne and the Borough of Rutherford will both benefit from a combined $8,896,682.67 flood mitigation grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Bayonne will utilize this funding to purchase and install a 500-kilowatt generator and other electrical equipment to mitigate loss of power at the 63rd St. Pumping Station to prevent the overflow of raw sewage into the basements of 59 residences served by this pump station that processes sewage and stormwater.
“As a coastal state that faces many flooding instances throughout the year, including flash flooding in low-lying, urban areas and flooding due to rising sea levels in our coastal communities, federal financial support is vital to ensuring New Jersey residents and their properties are protected from harm,” U.S. Bob Menendez (D-NJ).
“This nearly $9 million in funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will reduce the impacts of flooding for residents in Bayonne and will allow Bergen County to construct a new floodwall to protect their pump station and further reduce flooding in the area.”
In the case of Rutherford, the Bergen County Utilities Authority will construct a five-foot concrete flood wall around the joint meeting wastewater pump station in Rutherford, as well as make improvements to the sewer line to reduce the risk of physical damage and loss of function to the wastewater pump station after a flood event.
“We must ensure the safety and resilience of our communities in the face of natural disasters. These investments in New Jersey’s infrastructure and flood-mitigation measures will protect public health and prevent damage to homes,” added U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ).
