The goal: Rebuild smarter. Twelve years after Superstorm Sandy devastated Port Monmouth, Congressman Frank Pallone and DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette, launched the final phase of the Port Monmouth Storm Risk Reduction Project that many feel will do just that.
The $61.8 million phase includes floodwalls along Highway 36, drainage systems, levees, and road closure gates along Compton Creek between Campbell Avenue and Broadway. The improvements are designed to protect homes, businesses, and infrastructure from storm surges and rising sea levels.
Pallone, joined by representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said federal investment was the key to the project.
“This project began as a promise after Sandy — to rebuild smarter, stronger, and protect our communities from climate change,” he said. “With this final phase underway, Port Monmouth will finally have the protection it needs for the future. This is a model for how the federal government can partner with local communities to safeguard our coastline.”
The project, part of a broader effort to improve New Jersey’s coastal resilience, is fully funded by the USACE and expected to be completed in 2028. When finished, it will include extensive beachfill, wetlands mitigation, tide gates, concrete floodwalls, raised roads, and interior drainage improvements to manage heavy rainfall and storm surges.
The milestone underscores the importance of federal investments in confronting the realities of climate change and protecting New Jersey’s coastline.
LaTourette said the day marks a historic step for climate resilience efforts in the state.
“We are deeply grateful to our partners at the Army Corps of Engineers and our Congressional delegation for their commitment to the completion of this project,” he said. “More than a decade in the making, this project provides valuable community flood protection against future storms and sea-level rise, while enhancing and protecting the Raritan Bay shorelines and marsh systems that provide critical wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities.
“I am proud to join Congressman Pallone and Col. (Alex) Young to celebrate the award of this contract that will enhance climate resilience, create jobs and secure a stronger future for Port Monmouth.”
Young, Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, said the project represents our ongoing commitment to safeguarding coastal communities against the increasing threat of severe weather events – while helping business.
“Partnering with a capable small business underscores our dedication to supporting local enterprises while delivering essential flood risk management solutions,” he said.
Pallone, instrumental in securing funding through the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013, highlighted the personal impact of the project.
“It’s impossible to forget the destruction Sandy brought here,” he said. “This isn’t just about flood protection — it’s about restoring security to the Bayshore and ensuring families and businesses don’t live in fear of the next storm.”
