1. What is the Rebuild by Design – Hudson River Project?
The Rebuild by Design (RBD) project is a flood resiliency initiative launched by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to improve resilience in regions affected by Superstorm Sandy. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) was awarded nearly $300 million by HUD to lead the Rebuild by Design - Hudson River (RBDH) project, which aims to protect Hoboken and portions of Jersey City and Weehawken against future flooding caused by storm surge.
2. What are the main components of the Rebuild by Design – Hudson River Project?
The RBDH project aims to mitigate flooding impacts using four approaches:
The RBDH project is funding the implementation of this approach through three key infrastructure projects:
The City of Hoboken’s investments to mitigate stormwater flooding from heavy rain events using resiliency parks, such as ResilienCity Park, as well as green infrastructure projects, will work in tandem with RBDH’s investments to address storm surge flooding from the Hudson River.
3. Why is the Rebuild by Design-Hudson River Project necessary?
During Superstorm Sandy in October of 2012, 80% of the City of Hoboken was flooded with an estimated 500 million gallons of coastal storm surge and many areas of Hoboken were without power for weeks. The National Guard was deployed to help evacuate residents from their homes where they were stranded. It is estimated that more than $100 million in private property damage and $10 million in public property damage occurred. The Rebuild by Design – Hudson River project aims to mitigate storm surge flooding, limit storm surge damage, remove 80% of the city from the flood plain, and reduce flood insurance costs for residents.
1. What is the Rebuild by Design – Hudson River Project?
The Rebuild by Design (RBD) project is a flood resiliency initiative launched by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to improve resilience in regions affected by Superstorm Sandy. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) was awarded nearly $300 million by HUD to lead the Rebuild by Design - Hudson River (RBDH) project, which aims to protect Hoboken and portions of Jersey City and Weehawken against future flooding caused by storm surge.
2. What are the main components of the Rebuild by Design – Hudson River Project?
The RBDH project aims to mitigate flooding impacts using four approaches:
The RBDH project is funding the implementation of this approach through three key infrastructure projects:
The City of Hoboken’s investments to mitigate stormwater flooding from heavy rain events using resiliency parks, such as ResilienCity Park, as well as green infrastructure projects, will work in tandem with RBDH’s investments to address storm surge flooding from the Hudson River.
3. Why is the Rebuild by Design-Hudson River Project necessary?
During Superstorm Sandy in October of 2012, 80% of the City of Hoboken was flooded with an estimated 500 million gallons of coastal storm surge and many areas of Hoboken were without power for weeks. The National Guard was deployed to help evacuate residents from their homes where they were stranded. It is estimated that more than $100 million in private property damage and $10 million in public property damage occurred. The Rebuild by Design – Hudson River project aims to mitigate storm surge flooding, limit storm surge damage, remove 80% of the city from the flood plain, and reduce flood insurance costs for residents.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) will begin the next phase of the Rebuild by Design – Hudson River project, which includes major construction on 15th Street to install underground infrastructure for a sliding flood gate designed to protect Hoboken from storm surge flooding.
Activities include:
Starting July 7, the following streets will be closed to vehicular through-traffic 24/7 for approximately four months:
Traffic mitigation measures include:
6. Will I be able to access my garage?
Yes. the parking garages at 1499 Park Ave. and LAZ Parking will be maintained.
Yes. The following pedestrian routes will remain open:
Yes. Temporary curb adjustments will include:
Yes. Emergency access will be maintained via 14th and Garden Streets, in coordination with the Hoboken Fire Department.
This phase is expected to take approximately 4 months using multiple crews and extended hours. Harborside Park, where the sliding floodgate will be housed during sunny days, is expected to be completed in 2027.
1. What are the upcoming road closures and detours near Southern Hoboken?
Starting on or about Monday, April 7, the NJDEP will continue construction in Jersey City that will necessitate the closure of Jersey Avenue in both directions to vehicular through-traffic 24 hours a day between Harrison Street in Hoboken and 18th Street in Jersey City for approximately one month. During construction in May and June, one southbound lane of Jersey Avenue is anticipated to reopen to accommodate vehicles exiting Hoboken. Jersey Avenue is scheduled to fully reopen before the July 4th holiday.
2. What are the details of the construction activities?
Construction at this location includes utility relocation, installing micro piles and creating a structural foundation for the resist structure and flood gate that will cross Jersey Avenue during storm emergencies.
3. What accommodations are being made to mitigate traffic congestion?
To help lessen the impact of the closure, the City, in coordination with NJDEP, Jersey City, and Hudson County, has implemented several traffic mitigation measures, including:
4. How will the City communicate ongoing construction?
The City posts weekly construction schedules and traffic impacts, which can be found online at www.hobokennj,gov/construction.
5. How long will these traffic changes be in place?
The work is estimated to take approximately 3 months to complete but please note, the schedule is subject to change due to weather or unforeseen subsurface conditions.
6. Why is this construction work happening now at this intersection?
Construction work has been occurring on this project since May of 2021. The NJDEP has previously performed work in the north and southern ends of the City to separate the storm sewer system so that storm surge could not enter the combined sewer system that services Hoboken. Since the beginning of this year, there are or have been six active work zones.
The timing of the construction work is driven by the need to keep the Rebuild by Design project on schedule and maintain the sequential project development approach. Delaying work would push back the federally mandated completion date by several months and incur additional mobilization and demobilization costs. Additionally, construction at this intersection could not have started earlier as adjacent construction had not progressed to a point where this phase could begin, and approvals from neighboring municipalities were note yet in place.
Moving forward now ensures that the project stays on track to deliver much-needed coastal flood protection for Hoboken and the surrounding region, reducing the risk of major impacts like Hoboken experienced during Superstorm Sandy. The City and NJDEP have coordinated with Jersey City to help lessen the impacts to local residents and provide detours. By completing this essential work now, we aim to avoid more significant disruptions and impacts of coastal flooding in the future.
7. Why can’t the NJDEP construct other areas of the project now?
Construction of the Rebuild by Design project is occurring in multiple locations in Hoboken including at Harborside Park, the Garden Street Alleyway, 18th Street in Jersey City, NJ Transit property, among other locations. For more information, go to www.hobokennj.gov/construction.
8. How can I stay updated on the construction schedule?
Weekly construction schedules will be available at www.hobokennj.gov/construction.
1. What progress has been made so far on the Rebuild by Design project?
The Sewer Separation Modification (SSM) contract was completed in July 2022, separating portions of the sewer system to prevent water from surcharging under the Resist structure.
In October 2023, construction began on a new Harborside Park, which will integrate flood walls and gates to mitigate storm surge flooding while providing open space amenities for the community.
2. What will be in Harborside Park when it is completed?
Once completed, the new Harborside Park will serve as both a critical flood protection asset and a vibrant community space for Hoboken residents. Located at 15th Street and Park Avenue, this nearly 3-acre park will include several amenities designed to enhance quality of life while providing robust flood defenses.
Key features of Harborside Park will include:
Harborside Park will be the first in New Jersey to combine elevated flood protection features with community amenities, setting a new standard for resilient urban park design.
1. Where can I learn more about the Rebuild by Design-Hudson River project?
The NJDEP has a webpage dedicated to the Rebuild by Design – Hudson River project, which includes past meeting materials and presentations and more. Go to https://dep.nj.gov/floodresilience/rebuild-by-design-hudson-river/.
2. How can I stay updated on the latest construction schedules?
Weekly construction schedules are available online at www.hobokennj.gov/construction.
3. How can I provide feedback or ask questions?
Your feedback is valuable as the project team continues to work on improving traffic management and responsiveness to any issues.
If you have further questions, concerns, or if you would like to learn more about the project, please contact the NJDEP Community Construction Liaison for the Rebuild by Design project Isabella Brascetta at 1-800-252-0219 or rbdhinquiries@portal3.pbid.com.
