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.
1. What are the upcoming road closures and detours in uptown Hoboken?
Starting on or about Monday, Sept. 16, the NJDEP will continue construction in uptown Hoboken that will necessitate the closure of 15th Street from Park Avenue to Bloomfield Street to vehicular through-traffic 24 hours a day for approximately three months. Garden Street from 14th Street to 15th Street, and the alleyway between Garden Street and Bloomfield Street, will also remain closed for RBDH construction activities.
2. What are the details of the construction activities at 15th Street and Garden Street?
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 15th Street during storm emergencies, and restoring the intersection’s surface pavement condition. The full right-of-way closure allows the contractor to access the site from the existing Harborside Park construction site to minimize noise and debris and effectuate the work expeditiously.
3. Will parking garage access be affected by the street closures?
No, vehicle access to the parking garages for Park + Garden and LAZ Parking as well as the surface lot at 1500 Garden will be maintained throughout construction.
4. Will access to building entrances be affected by the closures?
No, sidewalks on the south side of 15th Street between Park Avenue and Garden Street, and on the west side of Garden Street from 14th Street to 15th Street, will stay open. Access for deliveries and Park + Garden residential shuttles will be provided on 14th Street west of Garden Street. Shuttles outside of the construction zone, will not be relocated.
5. Will emergency access be affected by the closures?
No, emergency access will be maintained throughout construction. The Hoboken Public Safety Department including the Hoboken Police Department, Fire Department, Office of Emergency Management, and EMS, have reviewed, performed site visits, and confirmed adequate emergency access to all buildings in the area including the parking garages, 1500 Garden, Elysian Charter School, and Park + Garden. A modification will be made to the Garden Street Mews to remove bollards, allowing Fire Department access through the south section of the closed alleyway in the event of an emergency. An arborist has been hired to assess any necessary tree pruning for fire apparatus access.
6. What changes will be made for school pick-up and drop-off?
Both sides of Bloomfield Street between 14th Street and 15th Street and the north side of 14th Street east of Garden Street have been designated for school pick-up and drop-off from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Temporary No Parking Signs have been posted. Residents who are able are encouraged to walk, bike, or use mass transit, including the Hop shuttle.
To learn more about the free Hop shuttle, go to www.hobokennj.gov/hop. To track the Hop in real time, go to https://hoboken.passiogo.com/.
7. What accommodations are being made for bicyclists during construction?
Citi Bike access will be maintained at the docking station at Bloomfield Street & 15th Street. The City has also added bicycle parking in the area around Elysian Charter School for students and visitors.
8. How will the City manage traffic and communication during the construction?
To limit impacts, NJDEP will use detour signage, variable message boards, and police officers for traffic control and pedestrian safety. The City also posts weekly construction schedules and traffic impacts which can be found online at www.hobokennj,gov/construction.
9. 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.
10. How will pedestrian and vehicular circulation change after construction of the uptown resist structure is complete?
Once construction activities are complete, the gate crossing 15th Street will remain open except during coastal storm emergencies, and both pedestrian and vehicular circulation on 15th Street and Garden Street will return to normal, with Vision Zero improvements. The NJDEP team is incorporating pedestrian safety improvements into the final design restoration for the intersection.
11. Why is this construction work happening now at 15th Street and Garden Street at the start of the school year?
Construction work has been occurring on this project since May of 2021. The NJDEP previously performed work in the north end 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, and the closure of 15th Street will bridge two of those existing 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, critical materials were not yet available, and the NJDEP's contractor needed to first complete test pitting and plan road design amendments.
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 extensively to minimize impacts, including maintaining access for emergency services and local residents, providing clear detours, loading zones and more. By completing this essential work now, we aim to avoid more significant disruptions and impacts of coastal flooding in the future.
12. 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, along Washington Street from Newark Street to Observer Highway, on NJ TRANSIT property, as well as near the Hoboken and Jersey City border. For more information, go to www.hobokennj.gov/construction.
13. 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.
The City of Hoboken held a community meeting to discuss the 15th Street closure and construction. Below is a recording of the meeting.
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.
