K Street, Seaside Park, NJ. (Credit: Google Maps)
Seaside Park officials have authorized the borough engineer to draw up plans for a significant project that is aimed at mitigating flooding on one of the town’s most flood-prone roadways.
The council has tasked Remington and Vernick Engineers with designing a plan for K Street – one of the longest in the borough – which runs from the ocean, westward along the bay to the northern border of the municipal marina. It ends with a small neighborhood on the bayside waterfront.
“This has very positive impacts for that area to address and mitigate some of the flooding problems that have developed,” said Mayor John Peterson.
The engineering firm will develop the improvements plans for not more than $34,000, after which the project is expected to be put out to bid for construction.
“We’ll have to have the area surveyed before anything else is determined, but we’re looking to re-pitch and redirect the water, and close up storm drains,” said Councilman William Kraft. “When the storm drains were originally put in, it was to take the water running down K Street all the way from the ocean, but that’s not the case anymore. Eliminating the storm drains, re-pitching and raising the road would considerably change the conditions on that street – that’s the goal.”
Much of the flooding on the street – and surrounding streets – is caused by backwashing of bay water through the storm drains. Originally designed with ocean flooding in mind, that risk has waned over the years with higher elevations toward the oceanfront as well as a top-notch dune system. Flooding concerns in modern times generally emanate from the bay, which is seeing higher tides, more major tide swings and greater impact during storms.
Council members said they also intend to provide an easier alternative parking option for residents, intended for cases where flooding still occurs.
“We’re going to empty out the west end of the boat yard so that, if there is a flooding situation, folks on K Court and K Street can park at the marina and, instead of walking through the water to get to their cars, will be able to go through the gate,” said Councilman Marty Wilk.
The design contract was awarded at the Nov. 21, 2024 borough council meeting.
