Old Bridge, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. joined local elected officials and business owners in Old Bridge today to highlight new funding for water infrastructure and flood control projects in Middlesex and Monmouth Counties. New Jersey will receive nearly $1 billion in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure and Disaster Relief Laws. New Jersey’s 6th Congressional District will receive $197.4 million in new funding. The infrastructure investments will protect coastal communities from flooding and the impacts of the growing climate crisis while strengthening the economy and creating good-paying jobs.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is delivering right here in Middlesex and Monmouth Counties with one of the largest infrastructure investments we’ve ever seen. With these new funds, we will be able to dredge our rivers, build new jetties and sea walls, and fund flood control projects to protect our homes from the next major flooding event,” Pallone said. “This funding is also a major investment in our tourism industry. It will ensure our rivers remain safe and navigable for boaters to enjoy and that our beautiful beaches can continue to attract visitors.”
The following infrastructure projects will receive funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law:
●Dredging and Survey of the Raritan River: $5,555,000
●Cheesequake Creek Jetty Rehabilitation: $30,000,000
●Initiate and physically complete Highlands flood control project: $128,700,000
●Sea Bright to Manasquan beach replenishment: $24,400,000
The following flood control projects will receive disaster relief funding:
●Engineering and design for Highlands flood control project: $2,400,000
●Flood control re-evaluation for projects in Keansburg, East Keansburg, and Laurence Harbor: $3,200,000
●Flood control re-evaluation for projects from Seabright to Manasquan: $3,200,000
“On behalf of the entire Board of County Commissioners and the people of Middlesex County, I want to express my sincere thanks to Congressman Pallone for his unwavering support of the environmental remediation and revitalization of this section of Raritan Bay and Old Bridge Waterfront Park,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ron Rios. “At every phase of this project – from having the contaminated areas of the park designated as part of the Raritan Bay Slag Superfund Site, to securing four million dollars in federal funding from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the dredging of Cheesequake Creek, to today’s 30 million dollars in federal funding for the reconstruction of the jetty – Congressman Pallone and his team have been instrumental in making the environmental improvements here a reality.”
“The Cheesequake Channel is a critical access point to the Raritan Bay for four marinas located in Sayreville, South Amboy, and Old Bridge. Unfortunately, many boaters cannot access the waterway, because it’s too shallow. Strong storms, especially Nor’easters, pull the sand off the beach in Old Bridge and pushes it over the rock jetty and settles in the channel. The displaced sediment creates issues for recreational boats who are unable to use the channel freely,” said Bill Lockwood, President, Lockwood Boat Works. “These upgrades to the Cheesequake Channel are long overdue. They will help the local economy and give boaters access to the Raritan Bay via the Cheesequake Channel for years to come. We’re grateful for Congressman Pallone for helping us get this funding.”
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was signed into law in 2021. The Disaster Relief Supplemental was signed into law in September 2021.
Original source can be found here.
