6 Corners That Flood Most In Hoboken Will Get Automatic Floodgates Starting This Week

HOBOKEN, NJ — While flying cars may still be far off in the future, the city of Hoboken will start installing the floodgates of the future this week — barricades that will automatically block roads during severe storms.

Six of the most frequently flooding corners in the low-lying city will get the solar-powered barricades.

They're meant to stop drivers from traveling through flash floods — which can not only ruin cars, but can prove fatal. Last month, during California's floods, a 5-year-old boy was swept from his family's car as his mother drove him to school.

"The new barricades will help protect residents by automatically deploying to block flooded roads during heavy rain events to prevent drivers from traveling through flood waters," the city said.

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First 6 Roads, Then More

In the past, the city has brought wooden barricades after roads flooded, but there was usually a lag.

Over the next two months, the city will install the automated barricades at the following intersections:

• Newark Street and Garden Street
• Harrison Street and Second Street
• Marshall Street and First Street
• Jackson Street and Third Street
• Fourth Street and Monroe Street
• Willow Street and Eighth Street

The city will also install manual gates at Observer Highway and Park Avenue, Second Street and Willow Avenue, and First Street and Clinton Street.

The city will floodwater monitoring sensors at Newark Street and Park Avenue, Second Street and Clinton Street, First Street and Harrison Street, Fourth Street and Jackson Street, and Seventh Street and Willow Avenue.

This project was funded with money from the federal American Rescue Plan at no impact to the municipal budget, the city said.

Specific Work This Week

Here's the work on the project that will be done by Murray Paving this week starting Monday, Feb. 13, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.:

• Cutting sidewalks and installing concrete footings that will serve as the base for the poles which will hold the signage and barricade(s) at:
• Monday Feb. 13: Park Avenue and Observer Highway, Newark Street and Park Avenue, Newark Street and Garden Street
• Tuesday Feb. 14: Clinton Street and Seco\nd Street, Willow Ave and 2nd Street
• Wednesday Feb. 15: Paterson Avenue and Marshall Street, First Street and Marshall Street, Harrison Street and Second Street
• Thursday Feb. 16: Jackson Street and 3rd Street, Jackson Street and Fourth Street, Fourth Street and Monroe Street
• Friday Feb. 17: Willow Avenue and Eighth Street, Willow Avenue and Seventh Street, Clinton Street and First Street

Minor tree pruning may be required for the barricades’ operation, the city said.

Murray Paving has notified property owners on affected roadways.

For more information on the automated flood warning system, see www.hobokennj.gov/resources/flood-warning-system.