Eatontown May Get Federal Funding To Address Wampum Lake Flooding

EATONTOWN, NJ — U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, the Congressman who represents the Eatontown area in Washington, said he is working to secure $2 million for mitigating flooding in the historic district of Eatontown near Wampum Lake.

The funding he requested cleared a major hurdle last week as the House Appropriations Committee approved all the projects championed under a congressional transportation spending bill.

The next step is the funding will be brought to the full House of Representatives vote in the next few weeks.

In the past, flooding from Wampum Lake has been "catastrophic" for this area, according to Smith.

Additionally, runoff from the lake backs up into various properties — including most notably the Eatoncrest apartment homes — during high-intensity rainfall.

“Intense flooding near Wampum Lake endangers residents, causes significant damage to nearby apartments and vehicles, and creates serious difficulties for our brave first responders who cannot easily access flooded areas with ambulances and fire trucks,” said Smith. “This federal funding will go a long way to mitigate this dangerous and burdensome hazard and to reduce economic losses to Eatontown residents and the local economy.”

Smith said he is also working to secure $1 million to put in all new sidewalks along Kings Highway in Middletown, specifically the section where commuters walk along Kings Highway to get to the Middletown NJ Transit train station. Four other streets surrounding the Middletown train station will also get sidewalks and sidewalk repair through this federal funding.

Congressman Smith is a Republican who represents New Jersey's Fourth Congressional District.