Menendez, Booker Announce $1.3M in Federal Funding for Jersey City's Sandy Recovery

Press Release

U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker today announced the awarding of a $1,289,231.10 Sandy relief grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to the Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority (JCMUA) to repair the Clendenny Ave. outfall and drainage ditch damaged by Superstorm Sandy. The grant covers 90 percent of the project's total cost.

"This federal funding will provide critical support to Jersey City as it works to make its neighborhoods and infrastructure more resilient to withstand future storms," said Sen. Menendez. "While our state continues on its path to full recovery from Superstorm Sandy, we must recognize there is still much work to be done. I will not stop fighting until New Jersey homeowners and local communities receive the resources they need to rebuild better, stronger than before the storm."

"Like many communities in our state, Jersey City saw significant devastation to critical infrastructure because of Superstorm Sandy," said Sen. Booker. "The grant announced today not only brings us one step closer to recovery but also makes our state more resilient to future storms. I look forward to continuing my work with Sen. Menendez to ensure that FEMA and the federal government remains committed to New Jersey's recovery."

Two JCMUA outfall pipes that service Clendenny Ave. were damaged by Sandy's storm surge and tidal action. Approximately 600 linear feet of the 60-inch steel outfall pipe became misaligned and impacted with sediment and debris brought in from the surge. The entire end of the outfall was buried under sand, stone and debris to the point that should a rain event occur, a discharge would cause upstream flooding in residential and commercial properties. In addition, the banks of a drainage ditch eroded and its embankment collapsed in several locations blocking the flow of water. Proper operation of the outfall and drainage ditch are a crucial part of the JCMUA collection system, which prevents residential and street flooding during wet weather.

"This substantial federal grant will assist us in both the repair and enhancement of critical infrastructure," said Jersey City Mayor Steven M. Fulop. "We are thankful to Senator Menendez and Senator Booker for their support and advocacy for Jersey City's continued recovery from Superstorm Sandy as we work to create a stronger and more resilient city."

The work involved to restore the JCMUA facility to pre-existing condition included the installation of approximate 600 linear feet of new 60-inch pipe and the removal of debris blocking the drainage ditch. The ditch was also relined with stone to prevent further erosion

In 2013, the President signed the Superstorm Sandy Supplemental Appropriations bill into law, bringing the total Sandy aid enacted by Congress to $60.2 billion. The funding package included federal aid to help homeowners, businesses, and communities recover, and resources to rebuild coastal, transportation, and water infrastructure.

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