Flooding Project Will Improve Drainage In Millburn Back Yards

MILLBURN, NJ — A year and two months after Millburn was flooded from Tropical Depression Ida, the city has kicked off a major flood mitigation project.

A construction crew will install new drainage between homes on Locust Avenue and Ridgewood Road, primarily in low-lying backyards. Additional work will also take place to the storm sewer system on Ridgewood Road.

On Tuesday, Nov. 2, the Township Committee gathered with members of the Flood Mitigation Advisory Committee, and Assemblyman John McKeon on Ridgewood Road for a ceremonial groundbreaking.

The Ridgewood Road flood mitigation project is the first of several projects planned to take place at the end of 2022 and throughout 2023 that aim to improve drainage access points in low-lying areas, the town said.

PM Construction is the contractor on the project.

Committeeman Sanjeev Vinayak said, “This project is a great first step in the Township’s efforts to address drainage issues, enhance post storm recovery and improve quality of life for our residents.”

The Flood Mitigation Advisory Committee recently had the opportunity to visit the Orange Reservoir to become more familiar with the area. That area could be the site of a significant flood mitigation effort for both Millburn and other downstream communities, the town said.

The Mayor’s Rahway River Coalition, a consortium of towns along the Rahway River Basin working on flood mitigation, has identified that a bypass system at Orange Reservoir could potentially create additional storage upstream to reduce downstream flooding.

Committeeman Richard Wasserman said, “As the first community downstream of the Orange Reservoir, Millburn has a fervent interest in this potential project. Myself and other members of the Flood Mitigation Advisory Committee are working very hard to learn and advocate for these efforts.”