Seaside Park Street Sees Rising Water From Abandoned Underground Pipe, Will Be Reconstructed

Stockton Ave., Seaside Park, N.J. (Credit: Google Earth)

A Seaside Park street that has been subject to flooding by an underground pipe that no longer is in service will be reconstructed as part of a planned road improvement project.

Stockton Avenue had been due for repaving and received grant funding under a state municipal aid program that funds resurfacing of one or two streets per year in the borough. But an underlying problem – literally – will require the reconstruction of the street in order to solve a flooding issue that is unique to the area.

“There is an outfall pipe that was originally there for the S-turn coming into Seaside, but it was capped off when the S-turn was routed into the new pump stations,” said Councilman Marty Wilk. “That pipe underneath Stockton is now taking on tidal water and [the water] is working its way up to the road.”

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During times of high tide, the outfall pipe backs up water onto the street rather than directs it out to the bay – the polar opposite of the reason why it had been installed many years ago. The borough has received a commitment from the state Department of Transportation to fund $303,255 in street repaving costs, however the Stockton project will come at a higher cost due to the removal of the abandoned outfall pipe, which necessitates the reconstruction of the street.

Earlier this month, the council unanimously introduced a bond ordinance appropriating $553,255 for the total cost of the project. After the state grant funding is applied, the local share of the project will amount to $250,000.

“The bonds are there to cover that difference,” said Councilman William Kraft.

The council is expected to adopt the bond ordinance after a public hearing and second vote this week, after which a contractor can be chosen to perform the work and the street can be rebuilt. The council is scheduled to meet this Thursday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. in the council chambers above the police station.