The first phase of the Port Monmouth Hurricane and Storm Damage Reduction Project is complete. This $18 million project will reduce the risks that coastal storms pose to residents and businesses in the Port Monmouth area. The project is federally funded through the Sandy relief package.
On a related note, the parking lot at the Wilson-Seabrook (spy) House and the Fishing Pier are officially open to the public.
The first phase of the project included dune restoration, beach replenishment, groin work, extension of the fishing pier, and construction of protective dunes. The project is expected to address major flood prevention to protect the low-lying residential and commercial areas in the Port Monmouth section of Middletown Township.
The project’s second phase will include constructing a system of levees, a floodwall, a tide gate, road closure structures, road regarding and pump stations. The entire $105 million project will be funded by the Sandy relief package and will offer significant protection to the area, which has suffered frequent flooding, erosion and damage from rain and coastal storms in recent years. The Army Corps of Engineers expects to begin awarding contracts for the second phase in May 2016 so that construction for the full project could be completed by 2019.